The community of Profam in Lima, Peru, had a major problem: the uncontrolled accumulation of rubbish along the main road. This not only produced foul smells and an unhealthy environment, but also tensions and disagreements among neighbours.
In response, the young people of Cristo Vida Church, members of the Youth Network ALC, and teenagers from the programme El Barquito de Manuel launched the initiative ‘Zero Waste Routes – Profam’. Their goal was to restore the broken relationship between the community and their environment, inspired by the conviction that peace is not only the absence of conflict, but a life lived in harmony with God, with others and with creation.
Alex Morales, a young leader from the RED LATAM, together with the youth team, began by talking with local residents to jointly identify the causes of the problem. The young people then approached the municipality and the neighbourhood association, presenting their proposal and receiving a positive and supportive response from the local authorities.
The young people began an awareness-raising campaign, placing posters displaying rubbish collection times and reflective messages in strategic locations. They also invited families, businesses and churches to join in. Their efforts mobilised 35 volunteers, who, together with municipal cleaning staff, carried out a joint day of street cleaning, awareness building and signposting.
The impact was immediate: the community responded with gratitude for this initiative, which, for the first time, originated from a local church with broad community participation. What began as a one-off action now looks set to become a sustained movement for environmental care and peaceful coexistence.
The young people were deeply inspired by this experience. They are committed to continuing to build bridges of reconciliation between people and the environment, showing that faith can be expressed in concrete acts of care and hope.
