In March of 2000, Paul went to Iquitos, Peru with his daughter’s school trip and was overwhelmed by the poverty and suffering.

Paul continued to operate his family business but began the foundational work of People of Peru Project and in January of 2004, he shut the doors of the business and entered into this project on a full-time basis.

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 fifteen years Paul was self- employed, owning several different businesses in Washington State.

Sandi is the Secretary Treasure of People of Peru Project, US and manages the office in Walla Walla, Washington. She has a passion for the children in Peru that is equaled only by the love she has for her four adult daughters and seven grandchildren. Sandi and Paul have been married for 39 years and this project would not be possible if it were not for the willing sacrifices Sandi has made over the last 19 years.

Leovina has been passionate about the organization since its inception, in March of 2000. "Leo" started as a helper and worked her way up to volunteer, translator, chief translator and logistics coordinator, then campus director and child psychologist.
In October of 2014, Leovina assumed the role of board member and Executive Director of People of Peru Project Centro Comunitario, the boots on the ground entity in Peru and is currently pursuing her degree in Business Administration. 

Ryan has been a long-term volunteer, for People of Peru Project for the last six-plus years and the leadership position at POPPYS house has been his goal since the beginning. Though Ryan functions in many capacities for the organization, his passion has always been the kids in our care. 

Rosany, a  native of Peru, finished her nursing program, in Iquitos in December of 2016. This, along with her long relationship with the organization, has put her in a unique position to understand the struggles that our girls face.
The positive effect this dynamic couple has had on the children of POPPYS house has been more than evident and their leadership has been invaluable. 

Dr. Perez is heading up our full time dental program and has a passion 
for community oral health. The local students love him and his lively 
educational presentations. He has earned the respect of his colleagues 
and won the confidence of his patients. 

Lonazco was born and raised in Callao, Peru. In 2011, she graduated from the University Inca Garcilaso De La Vega with a degree in Law and Political Science. In 2015, she graduated from Salt Lake Community College with an AAS Degree in Paralegal Studies. In 2018, she graduated from Brigham Young University with a Master in Comparative Law. In 2019, she was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar Association. She is fluent in English, and French.

Ysabel has worked in the legal field of criminal law and immigration law. She has handled removal defense cases, immigrant visas, non-immigrant visas, and many other types of immigration cases. She is passionate about immigration law as an immigrant herself. Ysabel has volunteered with People of Peru project when she was a law student in Peru. She is an immigrant who risked everything to go to the United States, and she was willing to work hard, leave her beloved Peru, only to make her American Dream come true. People of Peru Project is proud to have Ysabel Lonazco as the attorney for the organization.   

Ysabel joined People of Peru Project in 2019 as the organization’s attorney.

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David is 34 years old and is from Iquitos, Peru.  He started working for the People of Peru Project in January of 2005 when he came to the organization seeking work to help his wife who was very sick.   David and his wife, Julia, have two sons, Luis and Ibeth. 
David is in charge of the tools, grounds and special projects. He is the go-to guy for the groups doing construction.

Aurelia is in charge of the food service program at the Headquarter facility. Her role is to plan menus and make sure everyone is fed, quite a job when volunteer groups are here.  More importantly, she teaches and mentors the girls in our program in and out of the kitchen as their own mother should. Each university girl  has "kitchen duty" and Aurelia makes sure that they have a meaningful experience while learning to cook.

Juanito has worked for People of Peru Project since the beginning. He takes personal pride in the grounds and buildings of our facility and as a father of 12, he has an understanding and compassion that benefits the lives of our girls.

Camila is from Panguana village in the Amazon several hours by riverboat from Iquitos.  She has been employed as a full-time nurse for the organization since June of 2004. Camila organizes the medical campaigns for our hundreds of volunteer groups, does all the medicine acquisitions and coordinates with the local medical institutions for the medical care and follow up of the patients we serve.
Camila also functions in the community in the role of social services advocate in the educational sponsorship program as a liaison between teachers, our organization and impoverished students.

Pedro is the night watchman at POPPYS house and is entrusted with the sacred duty of keeping

our girls safe and secure.