Buckner International: Global Initiatives

Buckner in Perú

NGO Status:
Buckner Perú became an NGO in 2007

Primary Office:
Lima, Perú

In 2005, the Peruvian government sought out Buckner to help establish a foster care and transitional services program. Additionally, Buckner crossed the borders of Perú for the first time with staff and church teams starting to minister to the boys and girls in eight of the 33 government orphanages. Buckner’s first mission trip was in September of 2005 when a group of volunteers teamed up for a Shoes for Orphan Souls trip in Perú. Also in September of that year, Buckner leadership met with government officials to develop an NGO (nongovernmental organization) to begin operations. Buckner became a Peruvian Foundation in 2007.

Buckner services and country support include:

• Foster Care: Buckner Perú has a two-year contract with the government to help implement a pilot foster care program. The Peru foster care program is currently projected to serve 35 children by the end of 2008, as an average daily census. The program recruits Christian foster families to open their homes to children who have been removed from their families due to family crisis, neglect, poverty or abuse.
Transition Ministries: Buckner Perú is beginning a transition ministry to serve children who are 16 years and over to help prepare them for independent living. The program is projected to serve 20 girls in 2008.
• Government and Private Orphanage Support: Buckner Perú currently serves in 8 government homes and four private homes either through mission trips with volunteers, follow-up and or humanitarian aid.
• Follow-Up Program: Buckner has a follow-up program to ensure long-term sustainability in the Perú orphanages. Follow-up staff is developing and integrating in the orphanages an effective VBS and discipleship curriculum. Our Peruvian follow-up staff also works on teaching the children weekly cultural classes, music, drama and dance.
• Church and Community Ministries: Buckner Perú collaborates with Operation San Andres from South Main Baptist Church in Houston, providing a community development social worker who works in the with the families of the OSA after-school program, the local public schools, and the at risk community. Buckner Perú also works with other poor at risk communities to provide humanitarian aid.

Other ministries include:

• Ongoing humanitarian aid through donations, The Voice Program and Shoes for Orphan Souls.
• Mission trips throughout the year ministering to the children in orphanages in Lima and Cuzco.
• Internship program where volunteers participate four weeks out of the summer assisting in- country staff with activities and recreation for children in the orphanages.

You can provide change in Perú

In 2008, you can help us:
• Expand the foster care program to 35children in families
• Expand Transitional Program to 20 girls
• Add staff: Program Director; Social Worker, Follow-up

Go on a mission trip!

Since 2005, Peru has had 13 mission trips with approximately 250 volunteers. Through these teams, Buckner Peru is able to expand the continuum of care options for children and youth in the Peruvian government and private child welfare system. The children were able to receive humanitarian aid as well as complete projects targeting improvements in the orphanages resulting in better living conditions for children and youth.