About Us
El Refugio de Esperanza (The Refuge of Hope) in Pucallpa, Peru,
was founded in 1987 by Pastor Victor Manuel Izquiero Lora, together with his wife, Ana Mendoza Lopez. Because Pastor Victor was physically disabled after surviving polio as a child, he understood the unique needs of people with disabilities. He was inspired to create a place for individuals like himself to personally develop, to study, to learn a profession, and to know the love of God. Pastor Victor and his wife Ana, shown in the photo below, describe their early beginnings with The Refuge of Hope.
We started with very humble circumstances, myself, my wife Ana and six of our friends who were also affected by polio and shared a common vision for helping others. We had no money, but we believed in God. We lived in tents, planting and growing corn and yucca. We had no water, no bathroom and no lights. But, that first year, we had six students who wanted to learn to do something…mostly due to miracles and generous donations from individuals who saw what we were doing and wanted to help. Each year, I went by foot, by boat and by car through other river towns and villages looking for more young people with disabilities who wanted to work, and we would bring them to The Refuge.-Pastor Victor Izquierdo
Our goal was for each student to become economically active and independent. We wanted them to learn a trade and work in order to earn their own money, buy their own food, and not be dependent upon others. Initially, we taught shoe repair, sewing, electronics and sign making. Little by little we grew and grew. We grew until we realized that we needed a program for children who were too young for vocational training. So, we created an elementary school. At first, the elementary school was only for children with disabilities. However, soon siblings and friends of the children with disabilities also wanted to attend. Today, there are children with disabilities and normal children who learn together. The integration of people with diverse abilities has created a special community.- Ana Mendoza Lopez
