Across Continents
Helping build a life for children in the U.S. and in Peru

Most hear the name Richard Paul Evans and immediately think of a touching Christmas story that swept the world. But few know the buildings that have come in the decade since.

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While serving in Peru on a humanitarian project with one of his daughters, Evans and his daughter worked in the Hummingbird, an orphanage for about twenty-five street children in Cusco, Peru. As they walked into one room, Evans saw the children gathered around a single pot of rice. They came to learn that without help from the Peruvian government, founder and manager Alcides Jordan was giving half his salary to feed the children, and when there wasn’t enough, the children had to be turned out onto the streets again. When Evans asked what he could do, Alcides asked, “Can you help us with food?”

Evans ended up adopting the orphanage, and since then, shelters named Christmas Box Houses have begun to pop up in Utah. Moab was the first location, housing children since 1998; Salt Lake City was next with completion in 2000; and last year the Ogden Christmas Box House opened. There is also a children’s justice center in Vernal.

           

Evans’s Christmas Box Foundation and its sponsors funded the building of the shelters and now work hand in hand with the government to provide comprehensive temporary shelter services. Unlike the Hummingbird orphanage in Peru, which houses children off the streets, the Utah Christmas Box shelters house abused and neglected children. Of the Utah children removed from dangerous home environments, approximately 85 percent are placed in Christmas Box Houses.

           

Back in Peru, the foundation built a second orphanage named after Evans’ 2005 book, The Sunflower. At the Sunflower orphanage, the foundation’s goal is to build a self-sustaining model for the ninety-six children housed. When asked what others could do to help, Evans’ first response was, “Buy a cow.” By donating two-hundred dollars to the foundation, the Sunflower can purchase a cow for the growing dairy. With a dairy in place, the children will learn practical skills and maintain a supply of food.

           

Other opportunities to help the orphanage are provided through a partner, Southern Cross Humanitarian, founded by Evans’ brother Van who served his mission to Peru. During the summer of 2006 Richard and Van will host three ten-day humanitarian expeditions to the Sunflower. Every group that goes to Peru has a specific mission, whether it repairs bathrooms, builds the greenhouse, or spends time making friends with the children. And the trips definitely utilize volunteers’ talents. “A lot of the time the people who sign up determine what it is you’re going to be doing,” says Richard. “If you’re lucky enough to have eye doctors, we use them.”

For those who want to help but can’t make the trip down, thirty dollars sponsors one child with food, clothing, education, and psychological therapy for one month. Some children are available for adoption. To find other ways you can help, visit [thechristmasboxhouse.org] and [sxhu.org]. 

LDS Living Magazine

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