Final Preparations for Cajamarca Trip!

Only a few days until Maggie, Hector and I travel to Cajamarca to visit the incredible women of DiscoverHope Fund! 

We’ve been preparing for this trip the past couple of months.  Over that time, I have had the opportunity to talk to people about our trip, why we’re going and who we’re going to visit and I occasionally get the question, “Why Peru?”, or “Why not somewhere closer to home or in the U.S.?”  Good questions.  Peru is a long way from Austin, TX. 

While we do have roots in Peru because Maggie lived and worked there for 2 years, that doesn’t answer the question of why we stay there.  We could have moved or chosen a different location to develop our MicroCredit PLUS model, but we didn’t. 

We’re there because we have the ability to facilitate huge change in people’s lives with a relatively small investment.  We’re there because a loan of just $100 to a women who lives on less than $2 / per day is life changing.    It’s a place where $25 provides a training course for a room full of our clients who are eager to learn.  It’s a place where there is no other microcredit alternative for the poorest of the poor. And it’s a place where women want and need what we provide.

DiscoverHope -- this tiny little grass-roots non-profit in Austin, TX, that is continually lifted up by you, our steadfast supporters, generous donors and tireless volunteers, is literally changing the lives of thousands of people for the better.  We’re developing and perfecting a model that can be used again and again in any part of the world.  And our first site is in the northern highlands of Peru where we can support our clients in making a huge impact on their own lives and those of their families.

In a few days, Maggie, Hector and I will be ambassadors for the entire family of DiscoverHope supporters as we visit the towns and villages where lives have been changed.  Having been involved with DiscoverHope for almost 5 years now, I am humbled and honored to make this trip and very excited to see the faces or our clients, hear their experiences, and share in their hardships and successes, if only for a few days.

I think the famous quote by Margaret Mead embodies the spirit of both our DiscoverHope supporters and the incredible women we serve:

"Never underestimate the power of a small, dedicated group of people to change the world; indeed, that is the only thing that ever has."

In gratitude,

John