

Kepler Padilla, past grand knight of Laconia council 428 of the Knights of Columbus, and founder and president of Huasta House of Hope, a children and senior center in the Andes village of Huasta in Peru is shown here with the 69 children of the center who were presented warm winter jackets for the harsh winter season that is fast approaching. The 39 seniors who are part of the center were also presented with these warm winter jackets for the first time.

Huasta House of Hope was opened on September 19, 2021 dedicated to serving the neediest of the needy in this remote village 10106 feet above sea level. The center feeds the enrollees, both children and seniors their main meal five days a week. In addition to providing meals, the center also has a fully stocked clinic which cares for the medical and dental needs of those enrolled.

The children, through the generosity of our local residents and the parishioners of Saint Andre Bessette parish are taught English and remedial math by a tutor using 17 donated tablets. The seniors are visited weekly by a medical team which evaluates their physical health and dietary needs. Seniors and children needing prescribed medication are provided these drugs at no cost. There is never a charge to any enrollee for any service or meal provided. This past month the children were presented with backpacks loaded with all of the school supplies needed for the entire school year.

During the month of December the customary chocolatada festival will be held where sweet breads and hot chocolate are shared in their annual Christmas festival. The children and seniors look forward to this event each year. Hopefully Huasta will receive donations as in the prior years to make this a success. If you want to help these needy children and seniors you can mail your tax deductible donation to Huasta House of Hope, P.O. Box 662, Laconia, New Hampshire.

Celebrating our 4th year


When the Knights took over management and operation of Huasta House of Hope on September 19, 2021, the floor plan of the center consisted of many areas, such as the kitchen, dining room, office and a clinic. Although the other areas had been furnished, the furnishings in the clinic consisted of a desk, bookcase, and stretcher. 

Concentrating on the basics such as a stable staff and determining who would be eligible to use the facility consumed most of the first year of operation. Only those most in need, both children and seniors, could sign up and receive our services. This resulted in a beginning roster of 17 seniors and 21 children, as time passed, these numbers increased to 29 seniors and 59 children. 

Keeping in mind the goal of helping those most in need, our direct mail insert contained the photos of equipment needed to operate a dental/medical clinic with the estimated cost to purchase these items. Shortly after sending out the request for donations a couple who had donated prior to this asked to receive a detailed summary of the cost to open the clinic which I forwarded to them. Touched by the Holy Spirit, they asked to receive a certificate of our 501 c3 status and remitted the amount necessary to purchase the equipment which we did. 

During the following months, we kept in touch and I received another request by these benefactors to determine what medications and supplies we would need to open the clinic. Upon receipt of the list, they again donated the amount necessary to fully stock the clinic to service both the dental and medical needs of our children and seniors. At the same time that we were stocking the clinic, I received a call from the former social worker who had been in charge of the village of Huasta for the prior administration. She was available should I need her services. Again the Holy Spirit interceded and not only were we able to obtain her services but also the services of a dentist, his assistant, a registered nurse, dietician, and psychologist who all arrived two weeks ago to begin serving our children and seniors. The Lord works in magnificent ways.

Thank all of you who made this possible and God bless you, your families, and our great country, the United States of America, the most giving country in the world.

Serving Our Residents Medical Needs


Huasta House of Hope, under the direction of Kepler Padilla, Past Grand Knight of Laconia Council 428 Knights of Columbus, and founder of Huasta House of Hope responded to a natural disaster unfolding in Peru as a result of cyclone Yaku, a storm equivalent to a category 4 hurricane hitting the area beginning with the Andes in the north western region of the country and traveling through the agricultural region before hitting the city of Lima. Lima shaped like a giant bowl is surrounded by hills which have been transformed into shanty towns inhabited by those who have migrated to the city in hopes of a better life. Since the area is not legally incorporated into the city of Lima, it receives no services such as lights, garbage removal, sewage and most important only basic delivery of water brought by tanker once a week. 
Aside from dumping seven hours of rain on these huts which are mostly blue tarped make-shift huts, each home has its own cistern which the residents fill by purchasing water from the tanker. 
To prevent the spread of disease from contaminated water, Huasta, under the supervision of Brother Cesar Vallejos, who is a Knight of Laconia Council 428 and the resident manager of Huasta House of Hope contracted with a tanker company to deliver water to the 6800 residents of a portion of the shanty town which houses three soup kitchens supported by the House. Each truckload of 2500 gallons of water costs $75.00 U.S. for a weekly cost of $375.00 U.S .. The contract is for delivery five times a week for six weeks, depending on the generosity of the donors who support Huasta House of Hope. 
Brother Kepler Padilla, and the Board of Directors of Huasta House of Hope thank you for your continued support.

Response to Unfolding Disaster


Each year the children of the village of Huasta look forward to Christmas and the customs
that go with the season. In past years due to economic hardships the children of the community
might have been treated to hot chocolate and some form of sweet bread.
This year, as a result of our generous donors not only did the children receive hot chocolate
made with real milk and panetone (sweet bread) they also received an age appropriate gift.
The village was also given a look at their new clinic housed within Huasta House of Hope.
Working with the officials of the city, their children and seniors will now receive medical and
dental care at the Center.
When I became a member of the Knights of Columbus of Laconia Council 428, New
Hampshire and guided by the Holy Spirit, following the example of our founder Blessed
Michael Mcgivney I was able to help those in need through the Coats for kids mission
which produced and distributed 440 jackets to the children of the Andes, then by our
"Feed the Hungry" ministry which provided over 6 thousand meals working with the
Sister Ministers of St. Vincent de Paul. As founder of Huasta House of Hope the Holy
Spirit continues to guide me in this ministry where we provide food and medical and
dental services to the neediest of the city of Huasta in the Andes of Peru.
None of this would be possible without the generous donors who have helped me in
every ministry.
Thank you and God Bless you.


Boys and girls ranging from age 4 years to 12 receive their gifts from the different donor groups which include but are not limited to Laconia Council 428, and staff of Huot Technical Center, as well as parishioners of Saint Andre Bessette Parish.

Seniors enrolled at the center receive blankets for Christmas to keep them warm during the cold Andes winter.

Kepler cuts the ribbon officially dedicating the new clinic while Brother Cesar Vallejos our local supervisor and Mrs. Diane Monico, RN. and a parishioner of St. Andre Bessette Parish, look on.

These are the faces of the children who are enjoying a healthy meal. These children are depending on you. Please give what you can to support our "Feed the Hungry" ministry at our Center and in the shanty towns soup kitchens in the foothills of Lima Peru.

Christmas Festivities



Huasta House of Hope celebrated its first anniversary on September 19th with a formal celebration to mark the occasion. The entire community attended a barbecue, after which our General Manager Cesar Vallejos presented commemorative gifts to the mayor, city council members, and the elders of the community. Photos show the presentation of commemoration medallions being presented to the officials of the community and elders who comprise the Senior Delegation. Present were our seniors who use the facility weekly and the children who study during the week after school. A great time was had by all. 

Everyone is looking forward to the Chocolatada to be held prior to Christmas, and the ribbon cutting of the new clinic to serve the medical and dental needs of Huasta House of Hope. 

Looking at the number of children being served this first year has shown how Huasta House of Hope has affected the community. When Huasta House of Hope opened, the number of children coming to the center averaged 15 to 17 on Saturday and Sunday. This number has increased to over 60 children after changing the days open to Friday and Saturday. In addition to the numbers, there was an increase in programs being offered. One of the most successful programs was the summer school English classes, which were offered two days a week for six weeks. The program was tailored to the different age groups and was attended by over 26 children each of the days offered. On top of the classes, food and beverages were served and enjoyed by all. To further assist our children, the generous donors of Huasta House of Hope purchased seventeen tablets to help the children with their homework. Now, after school, the children study in a supervised environment until it is time to go home rather than staying in the street. 

One of the most important features to be added this coming year is our clinic, which will serve the medical and dental needs of those that need it most. Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, it will also stock medicines that are commonly needed but not readily available. In closing, the future of Huasta House of Hope is promising thanks to the generosity of our benefactors. Thank you and God bless you for improving the lives of the most needy of Huasta in the Andes of Peru. 




First Year Anniversary



In the hilly slums of Peruvian capital Lima, soup kitchens provide free food to
some of the nation's poorest people. Recently, however, they have had to cut
proteins like meat substantially as the cost of food climbs.

At Huasta House of Hope, their meals have been consistent thanks to the
generosity of the donors from the Knights of Columbus, but we are always ready
to assist our brothers and sisters in need.

Jenifer Mondalgo, president of a soup kitchen group in Pamplona tells us that for
soup kitchens, chicken has ceased to exist due to the huge increase in cost.

Soup kitchens serve meals to the needy. Food is either provided free or provided
at a very low price. But the war in the Ukraine has disrupted food supplies,
causing inflation.

For years, Lima Soup Kitchens have offered lunch at 1 sol., or about 27 cents, but
now community leaders have been forced to raise the price to 1.5 soles.

It is the goal of Huasta House of Hope to be there for our neighbors in need as
well as those being served in our House in Huasta. If you can assist, click [this link](/donate) and give whatever you can, or send your check to Huasta House of Hope, P.O. Box 662, Laconia, NH 03247




Feed The Hungry


After completing six weeks of summer school studying English, 50 children of Huasta House of
Hope were presented with backpacks complete with all of the supplies they will need for the
coming school year. 

Presenting the backpacks was Cesar Vallejos, representing Brother Kepler
Padilla(founder), at the ceremony honoring the children. Assisting is Sra. Patricia Ibarra who is
the on-site supervisor.

Due to the high demand, an additional fifty backpacks have been ordered to be presented to
the remaining children of the village who will attend the local school located in Huasta.




Backpacks for Kids



Summer school began at Huasta House of Hope January 16th with 29 children studying English with teacher Mr. Danny Garro , who has been contracted to provide 3 hours of English instruction every Tuesday and Thursday during summer break,  to make their studying easier the children will be using the tablets provided by Huasta house of hope.
As an added treat the children are served lunch.




Summer School English Class



As a result of the generosity of our donors, founder Kepler Padilla was able to present 15 tablets to Huasta House of Hope for the children to use for their studies at the house.

Huasta House of Hope