Behind the high‑security walls of Chorrillos Women’s Prison in Lima, the steady rhythm of sewing machines and the snip of scissors signal a race against time. Inmates are hand‑stitching velvet dolls and stringing beaded necklaces that bear the likeness of Pope Leo, who will visit Peru from November 6‑17 as the final stop of his regional tour.
Productive prisons program offers hope and skill
The project is part of Peru’s “productive prisons” initiative, which aims to equip incarcerated women with marketable vocational skills while generating modest income for their families. “Right now, we are in ‘pope mode,’” says Nanny, an inmate who asked to remain anonymous while carefully stuffing a doll with cotton. “We learned last year the pope carried a Peruvian ID, so we launched the idea of making a doll for everyone — children and adults alike.”
Among the 78 participants, items range from $9 stuffed toys to intricate bracelets that are sold outside the prison. For many, the work provides a mental escape from confinement and a tangible way to support loved ones. “We lose personal contact with our children, who suffer the most,” Nanny adds. “We may not be there in body, but we are there in soul and heart.”
Inmates find purpose and spiritual encouragement
Prison warden Doris Nakandakari notes that the workshop not only teaches vocational skills but also nurtures spiritual hope. “Their greatest wish is for the pope to visit them … to give them a blessing and the courage to keep moving forward,” she said.
Judith Vargas, a Colombian national serving a six‑year sentence, describes the program as a rare chance to learn new crafts. “It distracts me and teaches me things I didn’t know, like making earrings and necklaces,” she said.
Pope Leo’s background and upcoming visit
Pope Leo, born Robert Prevost in the United States, became a naturalized Peruvian after decades of missionary work and service as a bishop in the country. He was elected pope in May 2025 and will travel to Uruguay, Argentina and finally Peru on his South American tour.
The dolls and necklaces will be displayed during the papal visit, offering a unique glimpse of how faith and rehabilitation intersect within Peru’s correctional system. The initiative reflects a broader effort to restore dignity to inmates, strengthen family ties, and demonstrate the transformative power of faith‑based community programs.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
