In 2013 Hans Brandes was apart of the Summer Peru Crew trip. He was apart of a team who had the opportunity to stay in the newly constructed transitional home and use his personal engineering skills to improve a nearby community park. Little did he nor the organization know at the time how this trip would influence his continual involvement with Corazon de Esperanza. After his return to the states he kept in touch with the president of the organization with various ideas on how to better promote this amazing organization. He also kept practicing his already knowledgeable spanish speaking skills. Hans also became a monthly sponsor for one of the youth in the program. He knew he wanted to return and get to know his sponsored youth first hand. So he returned in 2015 with the Summer Peru Crew, but chose to spend more time in the kitchen with the girls and staff of the house rather than participate in the service projects planned. His biggest reward was getting to know the youth he sponsors in-person. Hans still kept in person contact with the organization over the years. In 2016 he accepted the position of treasurer on the CdE board. He also returned to Trujillo in June for a week as a volunteer. Hans’ experience just demonstrates the numerous possibilities and potential a person gains by trying something new.