The People of Peru Project is a nonprofit organization composed of a Board of Directors which was carefully selected to capture and maintain the vision of our founder. Each Board Member brings expertise, insights, skills, perspectives and life experiences that makes each member an asset as they function in this capacity.
The Peruvian law made it impossible to have a US entity in Peru and still have the nonprofit tax exempt status in Peru that we needed. In order to receive donated items into Peru and not pay heavy taxes to receive them it was necessary to open a Peruvian nonprofit with a separate structure and sitting board. Hence the two groups.
Sandra is the Office manager in the Iquitos office and serves on the board for the Peruvian nonprofit as an officer in the secretary position. Her sincere dedication to this organization and her tireless work to make things run smoothly have contributed immeasurably to the efficiency of our work. Sandra has lived in Iquitos her whole life with the exception of her time in a University in Lima where she studied office management.
BOARD MEMBERS OF PEOPLE OF PERU PROJECT- USA
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Paul Opp is the President and founder of People of Peru Project. Paul graduated from Walla Walla College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Youth Services Leadership. He served as a youth pastor and taught classes from religion to health education. He was a school administrator in a variety of educational settings, ranging from private Christian schools to the Florida juvenile prison system. For the last fifteen years Paul was self- employed, owning several different businesses. From March of 2000 until December of 2003, Paul operated his family business and began the foundational work of the People of Peru Project. In January of 2004, he shut the doors of the business and entered into this project on a full-time basis. |
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Julio Bocanegra is the Vice President of Operations in Iquitos, Peru. Julio is a native Peruvian, born and raised in Iquitos. He is bilingual Spanish/English and has the uncanny ability to get things done quickly and efficiently. His deep passion for helping people in need, and his dedication to this project from its inception, make him the right choice for this position of leadership. Julio is completing his degree in language studies and business at the University of Iquitos. |
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Sandra Opp is the secretary/treasurer of People of Peru Project. She has been enthusiastically “on board” since the very beginning. Sandi has a heart for people in need and is compelled to feed anyone that is hungry. She graduated from college with a degree in food service, nutrition and bakery management and has worked in the food service industry in several different educational and medical institutions. Sandi has also been employed as an office manager and bookkeeper for several businesses. She is an avid student of health education and has amassed a treasury of information that is invaluable for the people in Peru who know so little about health-related issues. |
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Blaine Robison has a rich history of volunteer work that makes him foundational to an organization like People of Peru Project. His family spent five weeks in India with a team of volunteers who worked with the poorest of the poor. They have lived for extended periods of time in the Dominican Republic, building a school facility, teaching health education and creating ministry opportunities. Blaine was a member of a volunteer organization that brought assistance to the remote Islands of Papa New Guinea where white people had never been seen before. After three trips to Russia and having served in many volunteer capacities, Blaine has pretty much seen it all. He has the ability to make something out of nothing. If it worked before, he can make it work again. His expertise in construction, mechanical work, welding and fabrication, and his love for people give him a very practical place on this Board of Directors.
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Rachel Robison has a passion for service in Third World Countries that only comes from experience. Like her husband, she has spent extended periods of time in the Dominican Republic, working and teaching in the areas of health, education and family life. Knowing the dynamics of the Latin culture and having served in multiple developing countries, Rachel has insights into the delicate balance of family dynamics in foreign cultures. Her sensitivity to human suffering and her diplomatic approach to people is an asset to this project.
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Sam Sullins now living in the Southern Idaho area, has been an active volunteer for People of Peru Project since before the construction of the first POPPYS house dormitory in 2007. Sam served as the construction superintendent for that entire project and is currently managing the construction of the transitional dormitory on the city campus. It is our hope that soon, he will begin construction of our surgical center. Sam has a work history that is widely varied from home building in the early years, to cabinet making, publishing, to the acquisition and development of commercial properties and corporate management in the later years. Sam's life was admittedly impacted by the kids at POPPYS house on his first visit and his initial reluctant involvement turned to enthusiastic engagement. He has earned the title as "Papa Guapo" (good looking father) and the kids and staff alike have found his listening skills and wisdom to be a welcome comfort.
Mike Breakie From Post Falls, Idaho joined the People of Peru Project board in August of 2009. Mike has worked in various capacities in the building trades and has managed multi-million dollar projects for Commercial developers and individuals in the private sector. Mike currently owns a home security and management company for upper end homes that are listed on the Real Estate market and continues to work in the construction industry with his own company. Mike and wife Tanya have been involved, from the heart, since their first visit to Iquitos in December of 2007. Their personal interest in some specific kids and love for suffering people, in general, make them a good fit and their involvement has been very much appreciated appreciated.
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