On Sept. 26, Pleasant Valley High School Spanish students of all levels received a visit from Daniel Klopp, Voices 4 Peru Founder & Executive Director. Klopp, a former PV graduate, created the Voices 4 Peru organization to provide hope and empowerment to marginalized communities by giving them various opportunities. His work has freed people from real-life issues such as slavery, poverty, and prostitution. V4P has developed many programs in Peru, from its own private school to free prayer and spiritual counseling.
Klopp discussed with the students about some of the hardships he has experienced while serving the underprivileged. Since gangs are a threat in that area of South America, he sometimes has to go out wearing a bulletproof vest. There are even kids that carry around guns. Since our society is not exposed to such circumstances, students may not be aware of the dangers presented in other communities. Klopp and his team work to provide education to children in order to battle against issues such as modern day child slave labor, human trafficking, teenage gangs/prostitution, and drug abuse.
On Oct. 5, Klopp also visited the younger generation of Spanish students at Pleasant Valley Junior High School. To the students, Klopp instilled the fact that anyone could sincerely make a difference in the world. Knowing that he too was a PV student made it feel all the more real for the students; they were truly inspired by his involvement in societies worldwide. Klopp emphasized that students should take advantages of different opportunities, because anything may lie in the future. See WQAD for the video: http://wqad.com/2016/10/05/pv-grad-proves-to-students-they-can-make-a-difference-in-the-world/.
“Be willing to put someone else before yourself and experience a peace that goes deep in your own life,” expressed Klopp.
Last spring, Pleasant Valley High School worked to find sponsorships which would help raise children and provide them with an education. This fundraising program had a great turnout; the PV community was able to send 37 suitcases back to Lima, Peru full of supplies necessary to give students a living. Through social media and Youtube, Klopp shared videos to show PV students and others the real impact they were making. Young children received backpacks filled with items like toothbrushes and clothes, and their reactions were priceless.
Funds raised by PVHS students were also used to help build a volleyball program from girls in Peru. Daniel and his program have developed an official team where young teenage girls are practicing twice a week. “The volleyball club is going amazing. I am so proud to see [young teenage girls] practicing and becoming closer to our female staff at V4P. It makes me so proud of PVHS students to see how they have left their legacy and their impact on the community.”
Again this October, PVHS students will continue looking for sponsors to support V4P. Every donation makes a difference towards the lives of children, and even spreading the word about V4P’s mission will go a long way. PV-Peru shirts will also be sold until Oct. 12, with all profits going toward the V4P private school. Consider sponsoring or supporting this organization, as it truly changes the entire course of children’s lives, and provides them with a valuable education to keep them away from other risky behaviors.
Klopp’s work is greatly respected in our community, and it is truly a blessing to be able to take part in his organization. “It’s an honor to work with PVHS administration and staff because it’s the future generations that will take on the modern day tragedies of poverty. My advice to students is to always be prepared and ready to step out of your comfort zone to experience something that may sound crazy at the beginning. It may be the very thing that changes your world,” conveyed Klopp.
Follow Daniel Klopp on Youtube and other social media to learn more about Voices 4 Peru. He will continue uploading videos to provide updates about this mission.
Websites:
http://danielmklopp.com/speaker/contact/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Voices4Peru
Email:
Twitter & Instagram:
@v4peru
@danielmklopp
Samina Abdullah • Oct 13, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Meeting Daniel Klopp was such an honor! It’s amazing how his foundation has evolved. It’s really awesome how much Pleasant Valley’s community has contributed to aid Klopp’s foundation. It’s crazy to think that any one of the people in my school could be the next one to found such a world-changing foundation.