Working in The Province of Southern Cone

The Province was formed in 1981 and comprises the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

The Mothers' Union in Argentina is growing, with active groups now in 7 parishes in Beunos Aires and Cordoba. They meet regularly for prayer and fellowship, and hold bible studies and organise retreats for their communities. One part of their social outreach work concentrates on providing childcare for mothers with no income. This is invaluable as it means the mother can seek employment knowing that their child will be taken care of, and provided for throughout the day.

In Peru members join the women's ministry group, AMA (Asociacion de Mujeres Anglicanas / The Association of Anglican Women). This was formed in 1999, and was affiliated to Mothers' Union in 2003. The past two years have been years of growth in the parish groups and in the diocesan organisation. At diocesan level a committee of 8 members from all over the large diocese direct events and voluntary work of the members. In Lima there arenow groups in over 10 parishes. Some ladies work in poor districts of Lima, and in shanty towns on the fringe of the city. Others help out with a weekly meeting for handicapped children and thier mothers. In Arequipa members volunteer in two children's homes. All events are done through their congregational work, but it is the ladies who are usually the moving force behind the practical work going on.

One of the difficulties for members to meet at diocesan level is the distances between parishes. Arequipa in the south is 14 hours from LIma. And one area, Altiplano, is a further 5 hours from Arequipa. So events held to encourage members in Lima are repeated in Arequipa to enable members from the south of Peru to attend and to build their fellowship.

In Uruguay there is a group of AWA (Mothers' Union) based in the Cathedral in Montevideo which meets for worship, fellowship and prayer and helps to run fundraising events.