Peru: supporting migrants in the face of suffering and trauma
Many Venezuelan migrants have arrived in Peru and other South American countries in search of a better life. Irene Indriago Castillo is a Venezuelan clinical cognitive psychologist who collaborates with the Focolare Movement in a variety of ways. She is currently working as an international organisational specialist in Peru. We have asked her about her personal and professional experience in this role. 
What makes the migrants suffer and what gives them hope? The people arriving in Peru have often used the cheapest form of transport possible to travel from Venezuela and have left behind everything they owned and the people they love. After the journey and the challenges of passing through migration controls, the experience which is sometimes called “from illusion to delusion” begins. These people have very little money but they want a better life for themselves: they want a home and a job so they can financially support family members who have remained in Venezuela. Unfortunately, these dreams soon begin to disappear and life becomes very difficult. They suffer a lot because they are separated from their relatives and probably receive very little news from them; the normal pattern of life is lost and they do not feel safe and secure anywhere. Sometimes they are worse off than they were in Venezuela. Adjustment is difficult and this can create difficulties between couples. These people are surrounded by a sea of uncertainty which saps away their spiritual and emotional energy. Only people with a very clear aim and a deep faith are able to overcome such challenges quickly. 
What are their greatest and most urgent needs? Their most immediate need is to earn enough to maintain themselves. They also need to work through the legal processes required to gain permanent residency and to acquire healthcare provision. They need to find ways to maintain contact with their families in Venezuela and they need help and support to handle their frustration, doubts and sadness. There are many children among the migrants: what traumas do they face and how can they be helped? Children and adolescents usually know that the reason why they are migrating is to find a better life, nonetheless, they are still emotionally shocked when it actually happens. They do not have the same capacity as adults to handle change. Through the workshops that I hold for them, I have come to realise that the decision to travel to Peru is always taken by the parents and the young people are never asked for their opinion. Although they understand that migration may lead to a better life, they do not all want to come. They see their parents less, they are anxious, they communicate less and don’t have friends. They do not all get a place at school in Peru and those who do are often called offensive names by the other students. Their sadness, anger and fear is often expressed in forms of behaviour that their parents don’t understand: they may be rebellious or cry a lot or become very isolated. It is really important to spend time with them, to find ways of communicating and to form groups with people of their own age so they feel supported Do you think there is any hope that these young people will have a better future? While there is life there is hope. We need to focus upon their resilience as a means of strengthening their mental and emotional capacity to deal with such great challenges in life. From a human rights perspective, the country in which they are now living must guarantee basic nourishment, healthcare and education. It is also essential to support them as they maintain communication with their family members and build new friendships. They also need opportunities to learn about their new environment and they have great need of spiritual support. These are all means to form people with sound values and a vision for the future and the capacity to make choices which will help them to fulfil their dreams.
Anna Lisa Innocenti
The members of a small Focolare delegation, headed by Maria Voce, its president and Jesús Morán, its co-president, were returning to Beirut from a trip to the north of the country. There, they visited the Valley of the Saints, the spiritual centre of the Maronite Church, the largest Christian denomination in country. This area is also well known for the Cedars of Lebanon, a small forest at an altitude of 2000 metres where one can still find species that probably date back to the time of King Solomon, that is 3000 years ago. The members of the delegation were so impressed by the richness they discovered during this visit, that on their return journey to Beirut they affirmed the great capacity of this people, who can boast of 7000 years of history. The Lebanese managed to survive at the crossroads of three continents and three great religions and to safeguard their creativity in extremely difficult conditions. As they approached nearer to the capital city, they thought more of the country’s present situation, that leaves very little space for hope. In Lebanon, there are currently 18 religious communities. The state and public administrations function on “emergency” management. Ethnic, religious and political groups, big families, economic interests and foreign powers are deeply intertwined. Wounds, caused by the so called “civil” war, that took place between 1975 and 1990, have not yet healed. One of the bishops they met during these days said: “We haven’t had the courage to face the harm we have caused to one another, so no one has ever asked for forgiveness”. Comments show the fear of another outbreak of war. 
“It is time to build a new nation”, said the poster on the motorway. This provoked a very spontaneous question: how can this ever happen? Jesús Morán answered this question during a round table conference held at the faculty of Philosophy at the Holy Spirit University (USEK) near Beirut. His answer could be summed up in one word: dialogue. The Co-President of the Focolare Movement insisted: “Dialogue is part of man’s nature. Through dialogue man becomes more man; he fulfills himself by giving himself to others. It is not so much a matter of words or thoughts but of giving oneself. This requires silence and listening; it requires risking one’s own identity, even one’s own cultural and ecclesial identity. However, one’s own identity is not lost; it is enriched through one’s openness to others”. 
So, does dialogue build a new nation? Is this another one of those alluring theories that the Lebanese people have come across in recent years? The 150 Christians and Muslims gathered at the so-called “Yellow House” on May 13 can answer these questions. Located on the former demarcation line between East and West Beirut, the Yellow House was rebuilt as a historical symbol to remind people of the trauma of war. The testimonies shared by those gathered there were moving and convincing. They spoke of their friendship that began during the war when they were simply made welcome by the Focolare. A Muslim woman described how small gestures of closeness and attention, reciprocal visits and unbiased relationships transformed friendship into a real family. “Dialogue is possible only between people who are true. And it is only love that makes us true”, Jesús Morán said in his speech. The Christian and Muslim friends and their experiences are a proof of this. May be it is just a small seed, that will grow slowly, just like the cedars of Lebanon. But it is certainly a seed with overwhelming strength, from which a new nation can be born. 
These are the opening lines of a message that Pope Francis sent on Saturday 11 May to young economists and entrepreneurs committed to bringing change to global economics. He invited them to contribute to planning an international event entitled “The Economy of Francis” that will take place in Assisi from 26-28 March 2020. His aim is to begin a process of global change whereby economics now and in the future are more just, inclusive and sustainable and do not leave anyone behind. The event is being organised by a Committee made up of representatives from the diocese of Assisi, the council of Assisi, the Serafico Institute of Assisi and the Economy of Communion. The Pope is inviting everyone to join him – people of all faiths and nationalities – to discuss together the most challenging issues the world is facing today including care of the environment and justice for those living in poverty. They are issues which demand courage and commitment in order to rethink the current economic paradigms. Professor Luigino Bruni, scientific director of the Committee, said, “Pope Francis’ invitation to young economists is a historic event because it draws together topics about which the Pope feels very strongly – his preference for young people and his concern to create a new type of economy. Acting on his behalf, we are inviting the economists and entrepreneurs who have shown the greatest sensitivity to and understanding of the Economy of Francis (St Francis of Assisi and Pope Francis) so that the young people who will come will hear the very best speakers and learn about the best economic practice in the world today. The word “Oikonomia” (economy) has a complex background; its Greek root refers to our house rules or how we behave in our homes but, at the same time, OIKOS also refers to the care of our common home. The Fathers of the Church understood Oikonomia from a theological perspective, as a category of universal salvation. Assisi as a setting is very important: it is a town with a message that speaks of a different type of economy. The programme will take place in different parts of the town and will focus upon the three main pillars of the Economy of Francis: young people, the environment and the poor.” The two- day programme, from 26 -28 March, will include a range of talks on topics such as the rights of future generations, respect for life, social equality, the dignity of workers and care for our planet. The Economy of Francis will also be expressed in workshops, artistic presentations, seminars and plenary sessions. Well known economists and experts in sustainable development and other disciplines will reflect and work alongside the young people present. Applications to attend can be made from June onwards. The full text of Pope Francis’ letter and further details of the event can be found on 
This year’s edition, which happened at the Focolare’s international headquarters in Italy, had the theme “World peace starts from us: now is the time to step forward”. “The world is divided in many places,” explained the Rissho Kosei-kai youth. “Refugees, poverty, economic difficulties, etc, and not just at a national level, but throughout the small world where we live. On one hand, with the spread of the internet, you can create close links with the entire world, but on the other hand, poor relationships exist where conversations with next-door neighbours never happen.” There were many moments to share everyday experiences of peace: changes of lifestyle and actions that involve others and change reality positively. “We want to move forward and always look to each other and the challenges we see in the world,” said Rita and Henrique of the Focolare to their Japanese friends, “contributing to reaching a world that is more united, fraternal, where we can have more peace. But it is a peace that does not exclude people who are outcast, but that makes other people’s needs our own in order to one day arrive at the goal of ‘No one in need.’ This is how the catchphrase that young people in the Focolare have chosen this year reads for the Week of World Unity and for the course Pathways for a United World.” There was also real action in the symposium schedule: preparing and distributing hot meals at Rome’s Ostiense Station together with the RomAmoR ONLUS Association, which helps the homeless, elderly and immigrants. The Japanese delegation then participated in an audience with Pope Francis and experienced a day of sharing and in-depth study at the international centre of Loppiano, with young people at the school of formation and Sophia University Institute.