Janis Townsend and Lou Conde-Sandoval
Summer classes began on January 7 with three instructors: Rocio Cuestas, Rafael Leon and myself. Rafael taught keyboard three times per week. Rocio taught communication and math three times each week and I taught math, English, choreography in the mornings and the afternoons. We were able to buy two whiteboards and markers and paper for the kids to work and play games. On Fridays in the afternoons we had movies (cartoons) or went to the beach. The cost of the summer program was paid by donations from friends in the United States.
These classes were held during the month of January and February with a party on Saturday, March 1.
During the week of February 18 – 23 fourteen teenagers went with Rocio Cuestas and me to a camp in Canete. Those who were taken to the camp had participated and volunteered the most in the 2007 Christmas Store. The cost of the camp was paid by friend of Janis’ who has been very supportive of our work.PURCHASE OF THE HOUSE
After many months of waiting and trying to contact the owner, we were able to buy a house in Nueva Caledonia close to El Buen Pastor that will be converted to a center for children. Constructed of concrete the house has a living room, a garage, a small kitchen, bathroom and an additional room at the back. There is a small interior garden and another patio in the back of the house. We believe we can add two additional floors onto the house in the future. 
Besides the construction of the house, the location is very attractive because it is at the side of a soccer court owned by the city of Chorrillos. In front of the soccer court, the city has plans to construct a park with an amphitheater.
The house is being used for homework help sessions during the school year and on Sunday in the mornings for the older children at El Buen Pastor. On occasion the adults of El Buen Pastor use one of rooms for their activities.
RENOVATION OF THE HOUSE
Despite the good condition of the house, it is necessary to make various repairs and renovations. To create a larger room, we had to open up the wall between the living room and the garage. The garage has been transformed into a place where the kids can play and the living room is where the kids are able to receive help on their homework.
A donation from someones friends of Dallas will be used to repair and put ceramic tile in the bathroom, replace the lavatory and toilet and also renovate the kitchen.
In the future the floor of the garage and the floor of the room at the back will need to be retiled. The house also needs to be repainted. It is desirable to install a ceiling fan in the living room as well as in the kitchen and garage. There is some additional security needed for the doors both inside and on the outside of the house as well as the windows.
The small interior garden will be used to begin learning and cultivating vegetables and we will begin a compost area on the large patio at the back of the house.
VISITS TO THE HOMES
With the information obtained through the counselors in the 2007 Christmas Store visits to each of the homes was begun. Bridge of Hope Peru does not want only be a resource for the children without extending friendship to the families and the community where they live.
From April through October/November we were able to obtain more information about the economic and social needs of the kids and their families. 
VISIT FROM MEMBERS OF VALLEY RANCH BAPTIST CHURCH (VRBC)
In April five members of Janis Townsend’s church were able to visit El Buen Pastor, the house and the land across the street. 
SOCIAL WORK WITH BUCKNER
On June 8 a Group of 20 Americans were able to come with the leader of Buckner Peru, Claudia Leon, and they donated 177 pairs of shoes and socks.
In addition the Americans were able to play with the kids on the soccer court that is located to one side of the house. But the best result was the smiles of the kids because they had new shoes and the Buckner team played with them. 
THE COMMUNITY GARDEN
In August 2008 Karina Sandoval attended the World Youth Congress in Quebec City, Canada and presented a project for Bridge of Hope Peru. Her original intention had been to propose a project for school supplies for the kids however a friend counseled her that a better proposal would be a community garden. Through her proposal we were awarded $1000 to develop a community garden through Bridge of Hope Peru.
The land, purchased in 2007 and located in front of the house, will be the site of the community garden. Initially, the front of the property must be better secured and then it will be subdivided into individual gardens for the families. The community garden will provide tools, seeds and water for the project.
DONATIONS FOR MUSIC
In September a newlywed American couple, Brent and Kristine Hockaday, brought a keyboard donated for the music class of Rafael Leon so the kids would practice on it.
Another American, Ryan Everson, was able to bring another keyboard as well as clothes that were donated to the kids and adults with the most needs.
PURCHASE OF GIFTS
Each time October approaches preparations for the Christmas Store begin.
But October and November mean the purchase of many toys. Each Saturday during these months teachers and teenagers from El Buen Pastor go to Central Lima to buy the toys, t-shirts and socks for the children ages 3 to 16. 
Each Saturday is hard work but very satisfying because it allows the kids to have a toy and clothes for Christmas.THE BUCKNER PARTY AND CHRISTMAS STORE
The event that all the children wait for is the Buckner party and the Christmas Store. This year Buckner International was able to donate shoes and candy.
It was a very happy time offered to the children by the mission team from Buckner. The following day the 2008 Christmas Store was held and we were able to offer gifts, candy, t-shirts and socks for 205 children. 
The event was held on December 7. The parents of the children came to the community center in the zone to pick up the gifts for their children. Janis Townsend with another member of her church, Ryan Everson, were with us. 
Also Ryan brought some friends of his who are working on a project in Peru through his company, Accenture. It was a day in which were able to serve the families and provide a reason to smile this Christmas. 
OTHER PARTNERSHIPS AND ALLIANCES
During 2008 the opportunity to meet and begin the development of a relationship with other groups occurred. Through a personal contact, Cross International has indicated they would like to develop a partnership with us and provide donated items they receive from corporations. Claudio Menezes, the country leader for Peru, will contact Lou on a future trip to come by and see the operation in San Genaro. He has already indicated to Janis that Cross International may be able to donate the irrigation system for the community garden.
Seventh and James Baptist Church in Waco, Texas has applied to an internal foundation to provide funding for Bibles used in Christmas Store. Our contacts at the church also have an interest in school supplies, water, and medical missions. Janis will continue to explore these opportunities. Her primary contact, Mary Darden, introduced her to the World Hunger Relief Organization in Waco. After touring the community farm, one of the directors committed to providing assistance in the development of the community garden in Peru through the sharing of information and advice.
