What We Do

Peacebuilding

This is core to our DNA, and in every location of Peace and Hope (Paz y Esperanza) we work to confront violence and injustice, striving to build peace even when everywhere you look our world so quickly turns to violence. How we do this work varies based on the context of each location, and the various ways injustice leads to violence. We work for peace in the face of everything from armed conflict and terrorism, to gang violence, to the common everyday violence that people in poverty experience such as rape and abuse, we are committed to working towards a peace that is bigger and grander than simply a lack of violence. We work to build a peace of shalom, individuals and families and communities experiencing restoration, wholeness and justice.

Working Against Violence

High rates of sexual and physical violence, trafficking and exploitation, and discrimination against those with a disability are destroying the lives of so many children and women. Certain risk factors such as weak or unavailable public institutions and services in poor communities, as well as cultural patterns (such as machismo), legitimize and even justify  violence against children and women.

In the various contexts we are located, specific factors make children in poverty more vulnerable, such as not having education available their language, being Deaf, or even for simply being an indigenous child.

One specifically tragic case was an 8 year old girl named Yuri, who was horrifically abused and then killed in a small town in Huánuco, Peru. In the end, the crime went unpunished. This case is one of many that demonstrate the judicial system does not deliver justice for millions of people that live in poverty. We respond in order to prevent violence against vulnerable children, to intervene for victims, and work to transform systems and culture in our communities to keep such injustices from happening in the future. This trauma has a deep impact on survivors, but there is good reason to hold hope as we work towards restoration and wholeness.

Indigenous Communities

The history of people and nations throughout the Americas inflicting injustice on indigenous people groups is long and full of pain. Latin America is home to approximately 500 different ethnic groups, with much diversity and beauty among indigenous people groups, yet we continue to see many ways in which the indigenous in our countries suffer due to unchecked greed, power, and unjust laws and policies.

The hoarding of land is a phenomenon that affects both the Amazon and farming communities of the Andes. The loss of common land directly affects migration, especially of youth towards the cities, and breaks down the family and community. Persons that stay in the communities progressively become pawns. Both processes weaken traditions and common practices along with human rights.

Environmental Justice

Through decades of work, we have witnessed that just as a gang or armed group can deter peace and justice, so too can the destruction and misuse of natural resources. Paz y Esperanza facilitates several projects working to take care of our natural environment, to conserve key natural resources such as forest, and the use of regenerative agricultural practices. Those impacted most harshly by environmental issues are people in poverty, and we are committed to walking alongside them in concrete ways to care for creation.

Climate change is a global transformation that impacts every part of life for every town. The impact on the Amazon, the Andes, and the Pacific coastal desert has real and harsh consequences for our people, and we see the changes around us taking place at a rapid pace. Not only do we work to care for creation, but we also work for justice for those most impacted by the destruction of our natural environment.

Natural Disasters & Crisis

When disaster strikes, the communities we live and work in often experience the worst, because disaster magnifies the disparity that already exists for people and communities in poverty. Because Paz y Esperanza was founded in Latin America, by Latin Americans, over the years we quite naturally respond to natural disasters and other urgent crises such as the pandemic or economic and political crisis. These are our communities, our churches, our towns and cities, our countries, and wherever our community is hurting, we seek to be there  to respond in love.

Currently, the situation in Venezuela has brought those fleeing the crisis to our doorstep throughout the Americas. We work to respond in love, welcoming and empowering our new neighbors who have faced so much heartache and pain.

Not only do we respond to natural disasters, but we also work to prevent such calamity, helping communities with mitigation and adaptation to face the realities in our region of the world due to the climate changes already impacting us, and to be more prepared for future natural disasters.