Hope For Peru: Legacy Voyages Brings Entrepreneur Training To Lima

“Hope is a dangerous thing, my friend. It can kill a man.” These are Red’s cautionary words from The Shawshank Redemption. Yet, as Andy reminds us later, “Hope is a good thing, maybe even the best of things.” I tend to agree with Andy on this. In fact, I think that the combination of hope and vision creates a transformative force. While vision doesn’t guarantee a perfect outcome, it fuels hope, and hope motivates action. It empowers people to take control of their destiny and turn dreams into reality, shifting the narrative from despair to progress. Nowhere is that more true than in Peru, a nation brimming with potential and resilience.

A Journey of Hope for Peru

Last month, I traveled to Lima, Peru, with eight friends to lead a conference for 25 budding entrepreneurs through Legacy Voyages. These young visionaries are striving to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. While we shared insights on bookkeeping, social media strategies, and leveraging AI, the most significant gift we offered was something less tangible: hope and vision.

Among those on the trip was my friend and entrepreneur, Jane Kim, who was eager to be part of this Wonder Voyage journey. Reflecting on her experience, Jane said:

“As an entrepreneur, the opportunity to contribute to others’ small business journeys was especially meaningful to me. What made this trip particularly compelling was knowing that more than half of the conference attendees would be female entrepreneurs. I wanted to connect with and support them, as I could relate to their experiences on a personal level.”

For Jane, this was more than a trip—it was a chance to give back and foster connections with women who are courageously building their futures.

The Power of Encouragement

Throughout the conference, the questions, conversations, and mentorship sessions demonstrated the hunger for both practical knowledge and personal validation. Jane beautifully summed up the experience:

“This trip reminded me to be humbled by my own privilege. I was grateful for the chance to contribute my knowledge and experience, but I also realized that sometimes what people need most isn’t technical expertise—it’s encouragement and validation. For many of the attendees, a simple vote of confidence and reassurance that they’re on the right track seemed just as valuable as the practical advice shared.”

These words echo a truth often overlooked: Hope and encouragement can be as impactful as skills and strategy. Sometimes, knowing someone believes in you is the spark needed to persevere.

Why Vision Matters

In my experience meeting remarkable individuals who have achieved extraordinary things, one constant stands out: vision. Entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers rarely end up exactly where their initial vision pointed, but their journey always begins with that first spark of hope. Vision inspires action, and action creates momentum.

For the attendees in Peru, this conference wasn’t just about learning how to manage a budget or market a product. It was about seeing beyond their current struggles and imagining a brighter, more prosperous future. While all attendees walked with a renewed vision, several entrepreneurs received seed money to help make that vision a reality.

César Ausejo and his team organized and hosted the conference in Lima. He said:

“One of the most rewarding aspects of Legado Perú was witnessing the sense of community that emerged. Even after the conference, participants stayed in touch, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects. It’s a reminder that true impact goes beyond individual moments; it’s about creating spaces where people can connect and grow together.”

Hope for Peru’s Future

Legacy Voyages has made a powerful impact worldwide, including:

• Building a school in Belize
• Serving with Emprende Global in Honduras
• Working for Father’s Heart in New York City
• Providing a computer lab and vans for Ndoto in Kenya

And we are far from done. We are already planning a return to Kenya and Peru in 2025 while also starting new projects in the States. Our goal is to connect philanthropists with projects that invest back into the community. Legacy isn’t about going, serving, and leaving. We provide hope so a community can thrive beyond our time there. If you want to stay in the loop about upcoming Legacy trips, sign up for our MailChimp newsletter.

As Jane reminded us on this trip, empowerment isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it’s about believing in others and helping them believe in themselves.

Hope for Peru lies in its people. Investing in their visions and offering encouragement can help shape a future where more entrepreneurs rise, communities flourish, and dreams are realized. And hope, as Andy says, “is a good thing, maybe even the best of things.”