This article was originally published in COSAS Magazine . You can read the full story in Spanish here.
By Tony Tafur | Photos: Natalia Ormeño
The splendor of New York’s Metropolitan Club set the scene for Help Peru’s 12th Annual Benefit Gala, where the Peruvian community came together to celebrate more than a decade of social impact. Under golden chandeliers and crimson curtains, over thirty board members and volunteers welcomed donors, partners, and friends for an evening filled with purpose and generosity.
Vania Masías, founder of D1, attended alongside alumni from her Comprehensive Training Program. Her dance group filled the hall with rhythm and color, bringing a piece of Peru to the heart of Manhattan. Among the guests stood out Mariana Correa de Hochschild, honored for her commitment to the foundation’s programs, accompanied by her husband Eduardo Hochschild and a close circle of friends. It was a luminous evening where art, community, and purpose intertwined to continue building bridges between New York and Peru.
Vania Masías, founder of D1, lit up the ballroom with her dance company, bringing the energy and piece of Peru to the heart of Manhattan. The night’s honoree, Mariana Correa de Hochschild, received the Building a Better Future award in recognition of her work with Misión Huascarán. “Transforming life in rural communities of Peru is not only possible—it’s urgent.” Her speech reminded everyone that behind each initiative are volunteers, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who believe in a country where poverty and beauty coexist with the same intensity. “Each number represents a face, a story, and a future beginning to change,” she added.
What is now celebrated in golden halls began as a desire to unite efforts, channel solidarity, and turn it into sustainable action. Back in 2013, a group of Peruvians in New York felt something was missing: a reliable bridge to their homeland. Michael Holme, co-founder of Help Peru, recalls how the Pisco earthquake revealed that gap. “Many asked how to send donations, but there wasn’t a proper channel. The Peruvian community also needed a reason to come together and cultivate a culture of philanthropy,” he explains. That concern became a mission—and little by little, action.
Today, Help Peru directly benefits more than 30,000 people, and its model has evolved far beyond simply providing resources: it guides, strengthens, and empowers local partners, helping them build strong and lasting initiatives. “Before, our partners had no monitoring plans or governance structures; now they have clear goals, measurable indicators, and replicable projects,” says Christopher Price, Executive Director.
Help Peru’s work combines vision, strategy, and heart. Amantani, in Cusco and Loreto, promotes social and employability skills among young people, integrating health and environmental education. Hands on Peru, in Trujillo, provides preventive healthcare and creates economic opportunities for women. Prisma, in Loreto, fights dengue and encourages recycling while supporting income generation. “What connects us is our commitment to comprehensive, long-term development,” explains Deputy Director Adriana Delgado.
Behind the numbers are moving stories, like that of Dina, a mother from Ciudad Pachacútec, whose daughter received support from the CASITA program and is now able to communicate with her thanks to community health workers. “These small but powerful transformations are what drive us every day,” adds Delgado.
To ensure that initiatives endure, Help Peru combines strategic planning with the active participation of communities: from project design to implementation, including the contribution of local resources. Each proposal is built so that, once Help Peru’s direct support ends, the people and communities involved can continue with strength and autonomy.
Looking forward, the organization aims to expand successful models, innovate, and deepen collaborations with companies, public agencies, NGOs, and universities, with the goal of reaching 100,000 beneficiaries.
