Information
Where does Changes for New Hope work:
Click map to enlarge
Changes for New Hope
Huaraz, Peru
Changes for New Hope, (Cambios para una Nueva Esperanza), is a project that was developed in 2009 by Jim Killon. We are located in Huaraz Peru in the Andes mountains. In response to the needs of the local children living in poverty, malnutrition, and substandard living conditions.
Changes for New Hope was created to help these children, and their familes, help themselves. To accomplish that goal, we currently have five locations in and around Huaraz bringing children into an environment that teaches them to develop into their full potential. We teach English, math, art skills, interpersonal communication skills, self esteem and values.
Our goal is to expand to eight active groups by the end of the year. We also want to meet every need of the children whether that be dental. medical, mental health issues or clothing, food and medicines. We address self esteem issues and assist in family conflict issues as well. We are looking to develop micro-business opportunities for the families to be self sufficient.
Get Involved - click to contact this organization »
Current Projects
Our current projects include art and photography, English language education and other educational needs, the development of clothing and food sponsorships and distribution, fundraising through donations, sponsorships, and micro-business development.
We are proud to announce the introduction of the "Haz lo Correcto-Do the Right Thing" Campaign which is ongoing throughout Huaraz with the support of the Mayor and his staff. It is designed to raise the awareness and thinking of the community at large to 'do the right thing'. It encourages people to become better respectful citizens and consider their actions and how it affects others in the community. It has been very successful. We have been asked by community leaders in neighboring towns to bring the program to their people as well.
We have developed the First Annual Huaraz Benefit Chess Tournament to raise awareness within the community. This is accomplished with the help of local medical, dental and mental health professionals as well as local businesses and compassionate local citizens. We are bringing much needed assistance to those who can not afford treatment.
We have been featured on Expatperu.com an e-magazine, Television Channel 41 featuring on the Project and children of Changes of New Hope, our innovative focus and future and why we are not your average NGO. We have also been covered by Living in Peru, another e-magazine which featured a story about Jim Killon, our president and founder, and his experiences as a revolutionary humanitarian for the benefit of poor children in Peru. The Positive Pond, in Sydney Australia, featured Jim on their radio program to talk about the success of Changes for New Hope with the children. In early 2011, Jim was interviewed by You-The Movement, another humanitarian web based group about how he and Changes for New Hope came to be and prospered and he is a regular well known face and commenator on Its One Humanity, a social humanitarian web based site as well. We are now partnering with a non-profit organization in the U.S. to raise specialized crops on a local organic farm which, if successful, could end hunger and starvation among the poor within the region.
Partner Needs
Considering how Changes for New Hope is expanding and how many children and their families we have received requests from, our list of what we need would fill a department store. Our immediate needs are shoes, every type of school supplies, any and all medical equipment and materials including childrens vitamins, personal hygiene and care products and library type books. The shipping for such things as clothing, and other bulky or heavy items is outrageous, therefore we try to find such items incountry via cash. Cash donations can be made right through this Omprakash website, just click on donate. A non-tangible item we need are ideas and suggestions. The most powerful tools we have to accomplish our goals are the ideas of people who have, "Been there, Done that".
Financial Needs
Changes for New Hope currently operates on a near zero budget. Fortunately, Peru is not an expensive place to develop a project, but it is not free. We ask for donations and sponsorships from people who are compassionate and want to help us realize our goals and anticipate receiving funding based on our transparency and integrity. It is worth noting that no officer, president, director or teacher receives a salary or financial compensation. Everyone is a volunteer and every Dollar, Pound, Euro, Yen and Sole, goes to the direct benefit of the children and their families.
In Kind Needs
Potentially, we hope to establish an orphanage for those children abandoned, abused or otherwise neglected. A daily food program for children who suffer from malnutrition and a jobs program for older children and adults to help them become self sufficient is also in the works. We will never have a sign on our door saying "There are no vacancies"
The number one way to escape poverty will be education once the immediate survival needs of the children are satisfied. It will take major financial support, dedicated volunteers and laser focus but we are determined to create a innovative change in the way people are assisted here in Peru.
In the end we hope to develop the children into solid adults in Peruvian society who will pass along the kindness they were shown as children. We are...the Hope of Change, ...Adelante!
Mission Statement
It is the mission of Changes for New Hope, to raise the poor and disadvantaged children and their families out of poverty and eliminate the desperation that poverty instills. This will be done by means of education, proper nutritional and medical/dental/mental health issues being addressed, and focusing on helping families to become self sufficient. We look to provide for the welfare and education of children and give them opportunities which currently are unimaginable.