London: Chance to hear youth worker from Colombian Amazon

Jenny Garzón Saavedra

Jenny Garzón Saavedra, a youth worker in San Vicente de Caguán, in the Colombian Amazon will be speaking on Wednesday evening, 1 March at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall, White City, west London.

Jenny works for CAFOD partner, FUNVIPAS, which is the local diocese's social outreach team. She trains and supports parish groups who are still feeling the effects of 50 years of conflict in Colombia, and in areas where there are no paved roads, running water, electricity or access to health care. Jenny works on a project that helps communities learn to care for creation and put this into practice in all areas of their lives. For example, communities find innovative ways to recycle discarded household objects into useful items.

Jenny is a talented painter and uses painting to help children/teenagers learn about their rights - such as the right to a healthy environment - and to participate in decisions that affect them.

Jenny has witnessed the deforestation of the Amazon for cattle: "I dream that our land, our Amazon, will not disappear. I dream that we continue to take care of it, defend it and love it".

Jenny will also be sharing her inspirational work with 8,000 young people at Flame 2023 at the Wembley Arena along with Archbishop Tagle and others on Saturday 4 March, and will be visiting schools and parishes as part of her visit.

The meeting on Wednesday 1 March at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall, White City 7.30pm start. (tea etc from 7.15pm

The hall is beside The Presbytery, Commonwealth Avenue, White City Estate London W12 7QR which is at the back of the church. Nearest tube stations are White City on Central Line and Wood Lane on Hammersmith & City. It is 5 mins walk from Bloemfontein Road bus stop on the 207, 607, and 260 busses along the Uxbridge Road and it is 2 mins from the White City shops bus stop on the 283 from Hammersmith Bus Station to Hammersmith Hospital.