Growing Relationships, Shared Experiences, and New Milestones
This month, Paths of Hope has brought mentors, teens, young adults, and residential care staff together in several meaningful ways.
We hope these three updates offer a glimpse of what has been happening and how you have been part of it through your prayers and financial support.
A day at the Parque de la Amistad
In Peru, the last week of July and first week of August are the midyear school vacation. We decided to take advantage of the extra time the teens from the Puericultorio Pérez Araníbar have off from school to plan a field trip to Parque de la Amistad (Friendship Park).
After spending some time exploring the park, the mentors and teens headed to Fun Jungle, a large inflatable play area where they could climb, jump, laugh, and simply enjoy being together. Outings like this give mentors and teens an opportunity to strengthen their relationships and create positive memories outside the children’s home.
Helping staff understand why mentoring matters
Over the past six months, there has been some turnover among the professional and caregiving staff at the Puericultorio. We saw this as a good opportunity to bring staff and mentors together to get to know each other a little bit better and to share about the purpose of mentoring and the ways these relationships can benefit the teens living in care.
Mentors spoke about some of their experiences developing relationships with the teens, building trust, navigating challenges, and offering encouragement. They talked about the growth they have seen in the teens and what they themselves have learned through these relationships. We also answered questions from the staff and shared more about how Caminando Juntos works, drawing on what we have learned during the program’s three years at the Puericultorio.
Having someone who listens, offers guidance, and consistently walks alongside a young person can make a meaningful difference. We are thankful that the staff at the Puericultorio value these mentoring relationships and recognize how they contribute to the teens’ well-being and development.
Celebrating one year of mentoring at Buckner
It is hard to believe that a full year has passed since mentors began meeting with young women at the Buckner residence in Lima!
When we pair a mentor with a teen or young adult, we ask both of them to commit to getting to know one another for at least one year. At the end of that first year, the mentor, mentee, and a Paths of Hope staff member meet to reflect on their experience and decide together how they want the relationship to look moving forward.
Last week, we held two of these first-year meetings with young women and their mentors at Buckner. Because the young women are over 18, many are balancing work, studies, and other responsibilities. Their mentors also communicate and arrange activities directly with them, creating a different dynamic from mentoring at a children’s home, where visits are coordinated through the staff.
Both the young women and their mentors shared positive reflections, as well as helpful suggestions for strengthening the program.
Please pray with us:
That the relationships between mentors and teens at the Puericultorio would continue to deepen through trust, consistency, and shared experiences.
That new and existing staff at the Puericultorio would understand the value of mentoring and work alongside us to support these relationships.
That the young women at Buckner would experience encouragement and wise guidance as they balance work, studies, relationships, and the responsibilities of adulthood.
That the mentors would have patience, wisdom, and perseverance as they continue walking alongside these young people.
That God would bring more caring adults who are willing to make a consistent, long-term investment in the life of a teen or young adult.
