Weaving the Way Forward

A Letter from Jenny Valles and Jed Koball, mission co-workers serving in Peru

Winter 2024

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Dear friends,

My new friend Oswaldo was regaling me with stories of working for justice for Afro-Peruvians when out of the blue, he asked me, “Will you be going to Cali, Colombia in October for the COP-16 Conference on Biodiversity?” His question took me by surprise because I would, in fact, be attending the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP), but I could not for the life of me figure out why he was asking! It seemed completely off-topic. Before I make the connection, perhaps I should back up a bit first.

Cecilia Ramirez (at podium) inaugurates the first regional gathering of Afro-Descendent Women to address reparations for historic harms. Jermaine Ross-Allam (second from right), Director of the PC(USA) Center for the Repair of Historic Harms is welcomed as an honored guest and panelist.

In early June, I received a call from Cecilia Ramirez. Cecilia is the director of the Center for the Development of Black Peruvian Women (CEDEMUNEP), which is a member organization of our global partner network, Red Uniendo Manos Peru (RUMP). Cecilia had mentioned to me on several occasions over the past couple of years that she was beginning to address the issue of reparations for Afro-Peruvians in response to the historical harm of slavery. So, her call in June was both welcomed and expected as she explained that CEDEMUNEP would be hosting a regional gathering here in Lima in the month of August for Afro-descendent women from across 13 countries in Latin America to build an agenda for historical reparations. She was inviting me to be among a handful of outside observers, while also inquiring if this is an initiative that PC(USA) might want to support.

As soon as I got off the phone with Cecilia, I sent an email to Jermaine Ross-Allam. Jermaine is the inaugural director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Center for the Repair of Historical Harms. Among the center’s mandates is to respond to historical harms committed by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), principally against indigenous and Afro-descendent peoples. Also, the work of the center is to respond to invitations from communities around the world that have a relationship with PC(USA) and a specific call for reparations in response to historic harms. Jermaine was eager to hear more from Cecilia.

Cecilia Ramirez, Director of the Center for the Development of Black Peruvian Women, and Oswaldo Bilbao Lobaton, Director of the Center for Ethnic Development, have been allies for more than two decades in the struggle for racial justice for Afro-Peruvians.

In an initial conversation with Cecilia, Jermaine spoke about the center and his vision to create a global alliance of communities walking with one another in their respective struggles for reparations. This was a compelling idea to Cecilia, so she invited Jermaine to attend CEDEMUNEP’s conference as well. It was there that we met Oswaldo.

Oswaldo Bilbao Lobaton is the Director of the Center for Ethnic Development (CEDET), a longtime ally of CEDEMUNEP. Within Peru only CEDET and CEDEMUNEP are addressing historical reparations for Afro-Peruvians, so they valued the opportunity to learn more about how Presbyterians are doing the work of repair. Beyond that, they accepted Jermaine’s invitation to be in an ongoing conversation to support one another in this work. For me, it has been a privilege to serve as a connector, interpreter and builder of context.

It was in this role that I found myself sitting across from Oswaldo in his office back in September when he asked me, “Will you be attending the COP-16?”

Much earlier in the year, back in January, after I returned from Dubai from the UN Conference on Climate Change, I received an invitation from the Latin American Network of Churches and Mining – a group that RUMP has participated in for over five years – to join with them at the COP-16. At the heart of their concern is an issue I have been addressing in Dubai – namely, that lands occupied by Indigenous peoples are at great risk from mining activity due to the energy transition. And, if we do not support the rights of indigenous peoples, then we risk repeating the harms of colonization once again. Furthermore, the lands on which most indigenous peoples live represent over 80% of the world’s biodiversity, which is immensely valuable for water, climate stabilization, local economies, and planetary health. So, it was in the interest of indigenous peoples that I would be in Cali for the COP-16, which is why I did not understand Oswaldo’s question.

Jed Koball (back row) joins with members of the Latin American Network of Churches and Mining, Indigenous and Afro-descendent leaders, for a side visit to a nature reserve outside of Cali, Colombia during the COP-16 United Nations Conference on Biodiversity.

Seeing bewilderment in my eyes Oswaldo explained that the lands on which many Afro-Descendent communities settled after they won their freedom from enslavement are lands that represent about 40% of the world’s biodiversity. It is land they care for and protect. Yet, these lands have also been stolen and contaminated by mining activity. Part of the demands for reparations for Afro-Descendent peoples in Latin America is the restoration of these lands and the protection of their rights to defend them.

What is so increasingly clear is that the seemingly disparate themes of injustice that at times feel like are pulling us in opposite directions or have us competing for time, energy and resources are, actually, deeply interconnected themes. Historic harms and present-day problems, such as those faced by Indigenous communities and Afro-descendent communities in Latin America, are intricately woven together, just as our efforts must be – efforts to repair the harms of the past, resist the threats of the present, and restore life for the future.

This is a work we share in common. All of us. Whenever you begin to think that our work seems disconnected from the ministry you are doing in your own backyard, know that it is not. While the threads of justice may seem to pull us in different directions, know that they are being woven together. For this, we need one another! For this, we are grateful for you – for your generosity, your solidarity, and your commitment to God’s work right where you are!

With Grace and Gratitude,

Jed (on behalf of Jenny)