At the risk of sounding like I am throwing flowers at myself, I want to share with you good folks a little bit about who I am and why I have dedicated my life to this cause and project. I want to give you some insight why anyone would plant his flag in the cold Peruvian Andes after enjoying some significant successes in my native United States. It is my hope that you will more comfortably embrace Changes for New Hope if you better understand the man behind the project and the backstory that got it all rolling.
In 2007, I went to Nicaragua to look into an investment property. I had passed through a few villages with its residents living in deplorable conditions. I had my driver stop and I visited with several of them and decided right then and there that one day I would do something significant to make a difference in the lives of people living in such destitution. If not there in Nicaragua, then someplace like it. I was particularly moved by the despair of the children because they were trapped, they couldn't work or otherwise change their situation. In 2009, as the American economy was crashing I was already cashed out and working from home. Few people have the time and money, simultaneously, to act on their vision. With the final nudge coming from a rather dramatic occurrence, I searched for a place to go and found one in the Andean town of Huaraz Peru. Initially, I wanted to volunteer my time and abilities with an NGO but soon found it a lot less than what was represented to me and left in disappointment. I decided to create my own NGO project instead. Changes for New Hope was founded and developed within a few months.
Attitude is everything. With no knowledge of the culture or customs nor the language, I was at a huge disadvantage. I am one who believes that whatever you are looking for in life, you will find it. I found a place to set up shop, bought materials to get started and decided that art projects would require no language skills and would be great to build self esteem. Fifteen kids joined me and grew from there. I began bringing what I saw to be necessities that were lacking. Toothbrushes, soap, fruits and snacks, clothing and shoes as well as school materials. My funds were quickly being drained. I needed help if this was to be a continuing project. My time was divided between meeting a few groups of children through the week and sitting with my laptop and writing to every friend, family member, former co-worker, foundation, organization, celebrity with a charity, investment firm with a philanthropic department, church and social organization to consider supporting us. The sound of crickets was very loud. In our first year our total donations were $110. I was quickly finding out whether my vision and dream was going to vaporize because of my "Lone Ranger" status or if my heart was in it to win it regardless of any obstacles. I did everything I could, created as much publicity around every step forward and every progress of the children. People read about us and support began to slowly trickle in. More children came to my little micro-charity project.
I also had to address obstacles. Obstacles will prove to you who you really are and whether your goals are "wonderful ideas" or "do or die" commitments that you actually believe in and is part of your consciousness. When you have burned your bridges, left nothing to go back to, as I had, success was the only option. Obstacles were just the next thing to get beyond. Stumbling blocks became stepping stones to climb upon to see farther than I could before. Criticism comes from people out of their own small minds and inability to even attempt what we were accomplishing. What I was developing, along with some very thick skin, was a dogged determination to see this project become a place where children can come to enjoy a memorable childhood. A place to be safe and learn, grow and receive vital materials that their families couldn't afford for them. My own sense of compassion and love evolved to a deeper level and understanding of how powerful these sentiments can be. Action follows your beliefs whatever they may be. I was inspired so profoundly that I decided to write my first book about the first five years in Peru. A Gringo in Peru-A Story of Compassion in Action was published as an e-book in 2013 and has been read in more than ten countries. Subsequent interviews from Australia to Kenya have helped to share our story and encouraged others in their own pursuit to live their dreams. Staying humble is easy. I realize that a small white spot on an x ray could end it all for me. I realize that when the contributions dry up it will be time to explain that I have done all I could with what I had, for as many as I could reach. I trust that neither of those days will ever come to me. Attitude is everything. I applaud and thank those who have decided to join me on this incredible journey and try not to think too often of those well able to help make the lives of children easier and healthier and refuse to do so. Many people wondered if and when I will finally tire of this project and go onto to something more self fulfilling. With a big zero year birthday coming up in a few months, the sixth one for me, I have never felt more energized, more focused and committed to anything so intense in my life. I am here in Peru to stay. I am walking hand in hand with children that sometimes have to help me up the sides of mountains that have sucked my physical energy out of me but my passion is completely intact. I carry less weight but make more trips to deliver the packages sent to the children by other compassionate supporters.
I have been asked if I ever get used to the sight of the children in cold adobe houses and rock furniture eating potatoes and rice with a small piece of chicken because I see it everyday. I keep journals. I re-read them from time to time and recognize that, if anything, the intensity of the environs around me are only more vivid. I seek out new and better ways to reach the children where they are and in whatever condition that I find them to lift them out of destitution. I scour the internet and seek out like minded people for solutions. Thermal space blankets, wind up flashlights, eco-friendly hand crank washing machines, multiple vitamins and anti-parasite medicines to name a few. Every challenge has a solution and it is up to me to find it. Sometimes my confidence to succeed in spite of any challenge has been confused as arrogance. An easy mistake to make. I have found that few people actually leap into a state of confidence to face dilemmas and challenges and rather opt to fold under the first hint of pressure. Getting along by going along and cow tailing to the visions of their own puppeteers is a pity. Confidence separates those who do from those who make excuses for not doing. In my case, that confidence is a matter of survival. With no staff present here with me, I am a one man band so to speak. With nobody to encourage me and prop me up should I have a disappointing and discouraging day, I have to be my own best friend. I need to constantly renew and refresh myself every morning and throughout the day for myself and for the children that are depending on me. If I fall down, who picks me up? So, I better learn how to stand tall and strong regardless of what challenges I face. That attitude prompted me to write my fourth published book called Living Large Living Deliberately. I decided that what has been so instrumental to make every day for me a wonderful experience would also be a benefit to others too. My life serves to be a value to the lives of others internationally. I have also learned that small wins matter too. Base hits make the runs that win baseball games. Seven years ago I was swinging for the fences, only grand slam success was going to be sufficient for me. That was a mistake that I learned from. While a campaign to distribute vitamins and socks to four hundred children is memorable and a great photo op, so is holding a little girls hand as she tries to get past her fear of the water swimming for the first time. Or coloring with a little boy who finally gets everything inside the lines and is so proud of himself. Riding in a crowded combie for five hours to meet with a few dozen children in a remote village may seem like a misuse of time to some but to those few dozen children who never had anyone ever visit with them, the value of our time is as precious as gold.
In the United States, over my fifty two years before I came to Peru, I had been a mechanic, a sales professional, a banker and finally a day trader. I bought real estate, gold bullion and stocks, owned cars, ate in fine restaurants and took some exotic vacations. I lived a life that many of my friends claimed they lived vicariously through me. I experienced the American Dream. I traded it all for a life in Peru as a minimalist, learning more about life, what matters and what doesn't. For all the success I thought was important in my previous world, I have become a humanitarian, an exhibited artist, a writer and author, a social concern photojournalist and most importantly, an embodiment of compassion and love. Which life do you think I consider the greater success? I am Jim Killon, an ordinary man that gave an extraordinary damn.