Yanama training workshop 

High in the Peruvian Andes, at an altitude of 3,400 meters, lies Yanama, a small village where life is harsh and opportunities are scarce. Martina, a volunteer with Operation Mato Grosso, has lived there for several years, dedicating her life to the care and support of vulnerable teenagers—a mission begun by Mother Flavia in the 1980s, to which she devoted her entire life.

 

At the Don Bosco Workshop House, Martina lives with 35 girls who have left behind homes marked by poverty, instability, or neglect. The workshop becomes a true family for them—a space of peace, affection, and security where they feel welcomed and valued.

 

In addition to receiving secondary education, the young women learn a trade: the art of weaving and embroidery, a tradition that not only preserves Andean cultural identity but also opens pathways to their future independence.

 

This work is sustained by the generosity of many people who believe in Martina’s daily dedication and perseverance. Thanks to their support, these teenagers find hope, dignity, and the possibility of building a better future.

 

As in Yanama, there are currently six other women’s workshops in the Andes: San Luis (Piscobamba), Aczo, Shilla, and Totora (Chuquibambilla). There are also three other art workshops, specializing in mosaic and glass, in Sapchá (Asunción), Llapo (Pallasca), and Cayara (La Convención).