Fighting loneliness during a pandemic

Living in a remote community on the outskirts of Comas, Peru, Margarita Moreno collects and sells discarded bottles and recyclables. This summer, Peru experienced a surge in COVID-19 deaths, leading the country to enter a time of severe lockdown. While this time could have left Margarita feeling more isolated than ever, her connection in community has instead grown stronger.

Margarita joined a savings group served by Comas CMA Church, HOPE’s partner in Peru, two years ago. Amid the spread of the virus, Margarita says fellow group members never stopped showing their care in meaningful ways, offering ongoing support and even providing her with food baskets in times of need.

Setting aside between 1 and 5 soles ($0.28 – $1.40 U.S.) every other week, Margarita is rediscovering her God-given dignity and value, while also realizing her gifts and passions. She dreams of finding an occupation with a more reliable income so she won’t have to live day-to-day—though she’s still working out what that might be.

Margarita’s savings group meets far from where she lives, so she’s working to start a new group in her remote community, hoping her neighbors will also experience the power of saving together. She says, “My sol is not much on its own, but together, it’s a lot.”

Join HOPE in standing with men and women like Margarita—to share the joy of the Gospel, celebrate their God-given dignity and potential, and help them rebuild their dreams.