Peumo is a group of young people who, each year, are selected during their last year of school to live as a community of volunteers for a year. On 7 December, 2019, in the old Trumao mission, about 20 km from La Unión, a reunion took place of former and present peumos together with many friends who had been involved in some way and at some time in the life of the project during these past 20 years. A thanksgiving mass took place in which Jesus was recognised as being at the centre of it all. After the Eucharist, people gathered for dinner, sharing conversations, stories, songs and hugs.
In the words of Nicolás Viel sscc, who took part in the year 2000 group, “this has been a very affirming experience: the three pillars that underpin the Peumo project - Jesus, the community and the poor - are the pillars that will support our entire life, hopefully forever". For her part, Irene, a friend to several generations of peumos, said: “All I can say is that I feel so happy to have supported them and to have had them in my house. I feel they are part of my family. I will continue to love them and my door will always be open to them.”
It is 20 years since the project resumed in 2000, and so 20 generations of men and women have taken part in the Peumo experience. Next year, however, the community of La Unión will move to live in Diego de Almagro, Atacama, in what will be a new chapter in this beautiful story. Thus the cycle of the peumos comes to a close in the south. However, all that has been experienced and shared during these 20 years will not end. The experience, like an eternal flame, will continue animating the lives of those who once came together around mate and love in La Unión.
12/15/2019