Testimony of Ryan

I was an intern with the Truth & Reconciliation Commission team of the Paz y Esperanza office in Moyobamba in 2004. As a college student I had become interested in human rights and the search for collective reconciliation in post-conflict contexts of Latin America. I learned from my Paz y Esperanza colleagues how to conduct strategic planning, develop an advocacy campaign, create public awareness and generally support human rights for victims of the civil conflict of 1980-2000. Professionally, my internship prepared me for advocacy and cross-cultural work in the US. On a personal level, I was inspired by my coworkers who had dedicated their lives to serving others and living faithfully as Christians in contexts of injustice and disparity.

Fui un voluntario de Paz y Esperanza en el año 2004,en la oficina de la ciudad de Moyobamba,durante el desarrollo de la comisión de la Verdad y Reconciliación.Siendo un estudiante universitario me interese mucho en los temas de Derechos Humanos y en la búsqueda de la reconciliación colectiva en contextos posteriores a los conflictos en América Latina.Aprendí de mis colegas de Paz y Esperanza de como llevar a cabo una planificación estratégica, desarrollar campañas de promoción, crear conciencia pública y en general apoyo de los derechos humanos de las víctimas del conflicto civil de 1980-2000.Profesionalmente, mi pasantía me preparó para la promoción y trabajo transcultural en los EE.UU.. En el plano personal,fue muy inspirador el trabajo de mis compañeros de Paz y Esperanza,que dedican sus vidas a servir a los demás y vivir fielmente como cristianos en un contexto de injusticia y desigualdad.

Testimony of Ezequeil Vilca Mejía

I have been volunteering with Paz y Esperanza for about 2 years and working with the team has been a great experience. It´s really great for my carreer as I learn the theory at the university and the practical application on the ground with Paz y Esperanza.

What I admire most about Paz y Esperanza is that the staff is really committed to the most needy and those neglected by our authorities, as well as the rural farmers who suffered terrible mistreatments during the socio political violence.

Testimony of Jason Woods

My time at Paz y Esperanza was an incredible experience for me. I'm very thankful that I had the opportunity to learn from strong, committed individuals who are working for peace and justice in many different areas.

During my time at the Paz offices in Lima and San Juan de Lurigancho, I was privileged to hear the voices of people marginalized by violence and poverty and to see how Paz y Esperanza is partnering with those people to create a stronger, more just Peruvian community.

Testimony of Eysler Nieto

Be part of Paz y Esperanza is a blessing for my life, because I am not only learned how to implement my career but also that matured in every way, in addition to deepening and strengthening my understanding of what is work with the most vulnerable, from the example of Jesus Christ, whose mission leads to a comprehensive commitment to human being in his totality .Is been six years and am still in Paz y Esperanza. They have been good times, and as in any family, there was lots of things, but always continuing commitment to grow together for a better service for the weak and excluded.

Testimony of Grace

among marginalized populations, wanting to discover how I could live out my faith in a context of service focused on human rights and justice issues, which is at the heart of the work of Paz y Esperanza. I have always seen my experience here in Peru and my work with Paz y Esperanza as an opportunity to learn. Peru is my university; the Peruvian people are my teachers, and Paz y Esperanza is my learning community.

My work with Paz y Esperanza is in the marginalized communities of San Juan de Lurigancho, the most densely populated district in Peru with the highest concentration of poverty. Every day I learn something new by opening myself up to the possibility of seeing life from a new perspective. Paz y Esperanza highly values equality and empowering women, and in working with women here (in particular women who have been victims of domestic violence) I have learned deeper truths about the dignity, value, and equality of all people, women and men, indigenous and white, poor and rich, and I have been able to see more clearly how the restoration of this dignity is at the heart of God's redemptive work.

Because of Paz y Esperanza's creative and dyamic approach to their workshops and seminars, I have also gained so many practical skills in how to work with people as a facilitator of learning processes, helping people reflect and analyze within their context in order to work for transformative change and development.

Paz y Esperanza also has a vision to empower a new generation of young people who are servant leaders, and in working with young people, my peers, I have been inspired to keep dreaming and fighting for a better world. It has motivated me to help our generation take responsbility to live an alternative lifestyle to mainstream materialism, and to serve by being actively involved in the life of the local community and society where we live.

I an continually challenged by my life and experience here with Paz y Esperanza, and the challenge helps me to keep going deeper and letting God teach me more what it means to seek first the Kingdom of God and God's justice.