1. OUR STORY
Amaru Esperanza was created in 2021 through the aspirations of the founder Luke Cimino. After living overseas for years he wanted to create a trustworthy platform to better the world and communities in which he lived — as well as other areas around the globe. The name of our orientation is inspired by the iconic Tupac Amaru Shakur who platformed helping those in need and the betterment of lower socio-economic communities. He wanted us in privileged positions to be advocates and that’s what we intended to do! The word “esperanza” in our title comes from the spanish word for hope. Our story is just beginning and we hope you come along for the journey!
2. HOW WE WORK
Amaru Esperanza works both in the United States and Colombia serving those in need. We focus on a myriad of issues such as housing, literacy, nutrition, education and protecting the natural environment particularly because Colombia is so rich in Natural Resources and therefore very vulnerable to outside influence. We have a small, but growing group of dedicated staff, with the experience and drive needed to make change. Our ability to learn on- the-go continues to push us to strive to improve our daily work and reach out high standard initiatives.
3. OUR VISION
Led by the ideal that every human should have the right to nutrition, shelter, and education; we believe in providing the resources to help empower people to be able to reach their goals and better the lives of themselves and others within the community. Borrowing from the Good Book, Scaffolding for progress means teaching a man to fish rather than simply handing him a plate. This is the intention we lead with to help give those in need tools to better their futures. Amaru Esperanza was founded around the principle of doing all-encompassing “good work” — both big and small — making real differences in the upward movement of those in need.
4. WHY SUPPORT US
Amaru Esperanza strives to invest 100% of incoming donations back into our projects. This means that 100% of the money you donate goes directly to our cause and our work. One of the reasons our founder created Amaru Esperanza was that he recognized the lack of trust many people have in big international non-profits and the desire for donors to know exactly where their money would be utilized. Transparency and good work are pillars of what we do. At Amaru Esperanza, there is no percentage or overhead. 100% of your dollars go directly to our work.
5. HOW CAN I HELP? WAYS TO HELP?
Amaru Esperanza is always working on a project. We often have multiple initiatives going on. Your dollars go directly to supporting this work. During the past year while coping with Covid 19 and the fall-out from the Pandemic, we have not been able to offer volunteer opportunities but hope to do so in the near future. These opportunities will be available in Colombia and the United States.
6. WHERE DO WE WORK?
Our work is centered in Barranquilla Colombia and in Madison Wisconsin, USA. We work mostly in underserved communities and in areas that are in direct need of environmental support and assistance.
7. OUR FIVE FOUNDING VALUES
- Integrity
- Inclusiveness
- Compassion
- Servant Leadership
- Scaffolding Growth