By Danny Dodson | Executive Director
As the year 2017 comes to a close, we are gearing up for what will surley be an exciting 2018! We continue to meet and interview impressive and well-qualified candidates for our program, who have demonstrated a great desire to continue their education beyond the secondary school level. We are enthusiastic about the incoming class of Peruvian Hearts scholars and will be counting on our older scholars to help us guide and mentor our newest scholars. We are so grateful for the loyal generosity from our Peruvian Hearts family of supporters and friends. Our motivated scholars in Peru continue on their journey toward completing their college educations, becoming professionals, and helping others by paying it forward. Thanks to our supporters’ kindness and confidence in the girls we work with, the transformation in our scholars continues everyday as they become the next generation of women leaders in Peru.
Recently, Peruvian Hearts and our scholars welcomed long-time supporters from the Evergreen Rotary Club in Evergreen Colorado to Cusco. During their visit, they got to spend time with the PH scholars, listening to their dreams, visiting their homes, meeting their families, and sharing dinner with the girls. Two of the Peruvian Hearts scholars, Helen and Carlota, joined the Rotarians during their hike on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Several of the members who made the trip to visit the Peruvian Hearts scholars were members of the same Rotary Club fourteen years ago, when Peruvian Hearts founder, Ana Dodson, visited their club as an 11-year old to speak to them about her dream to help girls in Peru. After Ana spoke to the club, several of the members became some of the first Peruvian Hearts supporters, which made their recent visit to Cusco extra special.
Toward the end of October, we officially welcomed ten of our inspiring scholars into the program. We enjoyed the company of several Peruvian Hearts supporters during a meaningful candle-lighting ceremony for the girls being formally welcomed into the Peruvian Hearts family. Mothers, fathers and siblings accompanied each of the girls being initiated and before a girl’s candle was lit, her parents would speak about their daughter to share the pride they had for their daughter or inspiring words about their hopes and dreams for their daughter’s future. One by one, the parents also voiced their sincere gratitude for Peruvian Hearts’ ongoing support for their daughter’s education and how it has helped the entire family. Peruvian Hearts scholar, Jessica, welcomed the newest inductees on behalf of the other scholars, while other PH scholars sang songs in Spanish and Quechua, and performed different dances from around Peru. It was an important and memorable experience for everyone in attendance.
I want to encourage each of our supporters to visit Cusco and meet the Peruvian Hearts scholars in person. I am confident that the experience will give you an even deeper understanding of our work and will show you just how significant an impact your support has in the lives of our inspiring scholars. Please feel free to call me at 303-526-2756 or write to me at danny@peruvianhearts.org if you want more information about how to plan a visit to Peru.
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