Weaving Hope Together in Cusco
Last week, we had the joy of attending and helping host the Perú por los Niños Tejiendo Corazones Summit, a three-day gathering focused on strengthening the network of people and organizations working to improve the lives of children and adolescents in Peru.
The theme Tejiendo Corazones — “Weaving Hearts” — carried deep meaning throughout the event. The summit highlighted four threads: church, family, government, and organizations. Just as individual threads come together in a weaving to create something strong, beautiful, and purposeful, these four parts of society can and should work together in caring for vulnerable children and adolescents. Held in Cusco, where weaving is such an important part of culture, tradition, and identity, this theme felt especially appropriate. Each thread has a unique role to play, but the design becomes stronger when they are woven together.
The event was also a reminder of God’s heart for the vulnerable — for children who need protection, young people who need support, and families who need encouragement. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s care for those who are often overlooked, and we believe our work should reflect that same compassion in practical and meaningful ways. As we collaborate across sectors and learn from one another, we are reminded that caring for vulnerable children is not only important work; it is sacred work.
This year, we were especially grateful to have four Paths of Hope mentors travel from Lima to Cusco to attend. Their presence was reminder of what our mentoring program is all about: showing up, learning, building relationships, and being part of a larger community committed to the well-being of young people. It was encouraging to see mentors invest in their own growth and spend time together in fellowship.
Paths of Hope had the opportunity to lead two workshops for the participants. The first focused on mobilizing the local church to care for the vulnerable, inviting leaders to reflect on this calling from a biblical perspective and to consider how service can flow not only from compassion or immediate need, but from lives transformed by the Gospel.
The second workshop, “Mentorship that Transforms: Accompanying Adolescents and Young People from the Church”, explored mentoring as a practical expression of Christian discipleship and helped participants consider how safe, consistent, and meaningful relationships can make a lasting difference for young people who have experienced loss, instability, trauma, or the absence of healthy adult support.
Throughout the three days, leaders, professionals, volunteers, churches, families, government representatives, and organizations reflected on how we can better care for and accompany children and teens, especially those growing up in vulnerable circumstances. For us, it was a beautiful encouragement to keep going. Our mentoring program exists because we believe every young person deserves to be seen, supported, and reminded that their life has value and purpose.
We are grateful to have been part of Tejiendo Corazones and excited to continue building relationships that help create a better future for children and adolescents in Peru.
