According to the New York Times, nearly one third of Peruvians have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and the government’s strict quarantine policies that have left people at home and without income for the past 7 weeks.
Today on Peru’s Labor Day, we can’t help but think of all the hard-working laborers in Peru who are ready and willing to work but can’t. For some like Xavier, they are finding creative ways to use their talents and desire to work to serve the people around them.
Xavier is a master baker in training. He didn’t start out that way, but when a job in a bakery came across his path, he worked his way through the business learning everything he could. It was hard, laborious work that often took a toll on him physically and exacerbated his existing medical conditions. But he persevered through.
Now, he is baking for the other 70 Venezuelan refugees quarantined together with Something New. While the food is definitely delicious, what people receive more is Xavier’s cheerful smile and warm heart as he prepares and serves food. He is happy to be serving those around him, and when the work is like that it hardly feels like work.
Xavier doesn’t stop there! Something about the quarantine is bringing out all the secret talents he has. Many of his friends have lined up to get a hair cut from him or do morning exercises together to stay healthy. Or have even listened to him sing songs to pass the time together.
And for Xavier, the work is only just beginning. During the quarantine, he and his wife Johana learned that they will be expecting their first child! He’ll soon be adding ‘father’ to his list of jobs.
This Labor Day, help hard workers like Xavier who are out of work and have no means of income. Learn more about how you can support here.
