Peruvian Orphan Fund History
During the 2004 Spring Break, I went to Peru with a group of teacher friends. Aside from being tourists we decided to do something for the children of Peru and arranged a visit to San Judas Chico, a girls orphanage in the city of Cusco. We collected $400 for distribution to the needy in some way or another.
The orphanage visit was a very profound experience for all of us. The children when gathered together sang and danced and completely stole our hearts. The orphanage director, Sister Dominga, told us the current need was for shoes, and the $400 we brought was enough for her to purchase 53 pairs. We agreed that this was a worthy cause and a real need,
I returned to the orphanage by myself several days later and helped distribute the shoes to the children. The Sister gave me the receipts along with $15 in change. I returned the change to her, and became convinced, in this instance, and many others that followed, of Sister Dominga’s honesty and integrity. Our trusting relationship was the basis of what has evolved into the Peruvian Orphan Fund, Inc.
I personally returned to Peru later that year and lived in the orphanage for two months. Some of my volunteer duties were teaching boys in an orphanage (Solame Ferro) across town in the mornings, and back with the girls in San Judas Chico during the afternoons. They learned math, English, and geography; I learned there are very few things as rewarding as the ability to give to those who are in need.
Through these experiences, many meaningful relationships with children and adults were established that continue to this day. At Christmas time a handmade Santa outfit was made for me. It continues to be in use each year for visits to orphanages, a home for handicapped children, young ladies who were sexually abused and – as we have surveyed local needs – several villages in the surrounding mountains.
As a result of ‘politics’, Sister Dominga and her assistants are no longer involved with the orphanages. Although they are run quite differently than in the past, the children are still well provided for, and we continue to make yearly visits where Santa hands out Christmas gifts.
Late in 2006, with the help of Sister Dominga and Carla Farfan, we were able to open a halfway house for girls who left the orphanage at age 18. The idea was to help them transition from life in the orphanage to the ‘realworld’. They were required to live responsibly, and pay the utilities, with the requirement to take at least one class each semester to help break the cycle of poverty.
The house was in existence for six years until the contract legally came to an end. The owners of the house had attempted to break the contract more than once before that time, but fortunately two local lawyers stepped in to help us at no cost. We continue helping several older orphans who once lived there as well as others whose financial requests for basic needs are within our reach.
We are very fortunate to have the commitment of Carla Farfan and her family. Carla was one of the lawyers who had helped us keep the halfway house, as mentioned earlier, and has now become our lead person in Peru. She has a deep compassion for the poor, and has proven to be as honest and dedicated as Sister Dominga.
The Peruvian Orphan Fund Board of Directors made the decision to apply for a 501(c)(3) non profit status. It took a year and a half to file the necessary paperwork and pay the fees required by the Federal and State governments. The Peruvian Orphan Fund, Inc. was approved on August 17, 2014, and with its approval we are now able to provide tax receipts for donations and gifts, thereby moving our operations to a new level of effectiveness.
There are many stories to tell about our work in Peru, but let me at this time, share our more current activities.
About fifteen years ago we began expanding our mission to include helping
poor villagers in remote mountain villages around Cusco where temperatures often drop to freezing at night. There is almost no heating available. We made sure every person we help receives warm clothing among other gifts and food.
We are led by our Peruvian Director, Carla Farfan who understands local needs. She has personal relationships with each Mayor and other leaders in the villages. We do focus on children and the elderly but we try to help as many as possible with the funds we raise each year.
The first village we helped was Marcaconga and the surrounding area. It is located about two and a half hours from Cusco with an elevation of around 12,000 feet. The first years, we met in an auditorium but it soon became dangerously overcrowded, and since then we have met at an outdoor stadium filled with children and the elderly. Last December over 1,000 children and older adults received food, warm clothing and toys.
Next came a regional health clinic in Calca. We have been privileged to assist extremely poor children and their families that live in the mountains high above the clinic. Many of them walked for four hours down the mountain on trails to receive gifts of clothing and toys for the children. We also left enough infant clothing to distribute to expectant mothers for the whole year.
Another village near and dear to our hearts is Molle Molle. These people live in extreme poverty. The Peruvian Orphan Fund has been providing food and clothing for over ten years. Each year we help several hundred children and older adults.
We recently added the small village of Toctohuaylla. These people also suffer from hunger so we provide them with food each year. They are so grateful.
The most colorful village we give assistance to is Huilloc. This village has been part of our mission for over ten years now. They have remained culturally isolated from the rest of Peru. The women still make their own clothing by spinning wool and coloring it with natural dye. They continue to use traditional farming methods with oxen and people power to plow. Most residents speak no Spanish. They continue to speak the native inca language of Quechua. The food we deliver each year is greatly needed.
In Cusco, our mission remains the same. Every December Santa continues passing out Christmas gifts to children in both orphanages, and the young sexually abused ladies. We also give food to the Mother Teresa Calcutta House for severely handicapped children.
We are happy to continue supporting several former orphans.
It is such a joy to see many of the “children” who were in the orphanages nearly twenty years ago break the cycle of poverty through education. They have grown into amazing adults. As a bonus, they have been giving back to the poor in their own country. They have become role models with the current orphans. They purchase clothing and small gifts, beautifully wrap and help distribute them. They make testimonials giving these poor orphans hope. They always volunteer to help distribute goods in the villages.
The COVID years were especially difficult for the villagers in Peru. Inflation was out of control, there was political instability, which resulted in less government help to the poor. During this time, we helped with food and covid protection supplies. Soon after COVID in 2022 our trip was cancelled because violent protestors took over the Cusco Airport the day before we were supposed to arrive.
Our most recent visit was last December. We visited the villages of Molle Molle, Marcaconga, Huilloc, and Toctohuaylla. The poorest families as deemed by the village mayors were given large bags containing 22 pounds of rice, 22 pounds of sugar, 22 pounds of pasta, 1 liter of cooking oil, 3.5 pounds of oatmeal, matches, 6 bars of soap, cans of fish and treats for the children.
The growth and success of The Peruvian Orphan Fund would not have been possible without the dedication, passion, and hard work of Angie Weatherford, Patty Loree, Helen Scovell, Doug Kidwell, Morgan Hooper and many others. They help with our fundraising through garage sales, our annual Golf Tourney and Raffle, and our yearly cash donation drive.
The Peruvian Orphan Fund, Inc. is an all volunteer charity. No one locally or in Peru gets paid for their service or travel expenses. For this reason, our overhead is very low, and those who help us can be assured that their donation really makes a difference. I am happy to report that 2025 was our best fundraising year ever. Every year we strive to meet our monetary goals in order to fulfill our mission in Peru.
We embrace our mission and look forward to the future.
Joe Cline, President
805-428-2526
Peruvian Orphan Fund, Inc.
web site: peruvianorphanfundinc.com
The Peruvian Orphan Fund, Inc. 