Earlier this year Lani Imhof the author of “Peruvian Dream” spoke to Rotary Nowra about the story behind her must-read book.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In 2004 Lani and her husband Michael had a chance meeting with a poor Quechuan family in a remote village in Peru while touring in South America.
This encounter changed their lives as they fell in love with this hard working family and adopted them as their extended family.
The relationship has become stronger over the past 12 years and Lani and Michael have returned to South America on a number of occasions to help out and monitor the effects of their ongoing financial and empowering support to the family.
The first member of the family they met was Karina who was working as a young guide in a town they were sightseeing in.
Michael and Lani bonded immediately with this smart vibrant young teenager who after spending the day with them invited Lani and Michael to travel to a remote mountain village to meet her family.
Whist the family lived in impoverished conditions they openly shared what little they had with Michael and Lani and the interfamily relationship was born.
The most rewarding financial assistance given to the family over the years has been supporting Karina through university to become a lawyer and enable her now to better support her family.
Karina has completed her law degree coming first in her class and is now in the final stages of her a Doctor in Law qualification.
Karina works as a legal advisor to a number of Congressmen, the equivalent of our federal ministers and is realising her driving passion to help the indigenous people of her country by curbing corruption and the exploitation of them.
In her first travelling experience outside South America Lani and Michael have brought Karina to Australia and the Shoalhaven to experience our culture.
Karina’s ability to speak and understand the many Quechuan and Spanish dialects spoken in South America has made her a most valued asset to her government.
This ability to learn different languages as and when required shone through as Karina addressed Rotarians and guests in English with amazing clarity and was only assisted by Lani when she was asked a question in what was not plain English. Michael added that Karina had learnt some English before coming however her command of it in practice over the past two months was nothing short of remarkable.
Karina spoke about the close relationship with Michael and Lani from her family’s perspective and said that all her family will be for ever grateful for the gift of enrichment that they have given to them.
Throughout her talk Karina showed photos of the amazing off-the-beaten-track scenery, historic landmarks and colourful culture of Peru.
Karina also showed us up to date photos of her family and their transformed domestic environment since Lani and Michael’s intervention.
The Nowra Rotarians and guests, including Rotarians from the UK staying in the Shoalhaven, made Karina most welcome wishing her well for the future.