By Ms. Kimberly Happich Moloche, GSIJP Main NGO Representative, New York

During my recent visit to Peru, I had the opportunity to spend time at the Province Headquarters, known as the Casa de Retiro del Buen Pastor. It is a place where Good Shepherd spirituality, hospitality, and mission are deeply lived. The visit created a rich space for listening, reflection, and strengthening connections across our shared mission.

I was warmly welcomed by Sister Marlene Acosta, Province Leader of Peru, and Linda Quispe, Project Director at our Mission Development Office (MDO). Through open and generous dialogue, they shared the breadth and impact of Good Shepherd programs and ministries across the country. Their reflections highlighted the Congregation’s long-standing commitment to accompaniment, prevention, and empowerment, particularly alongside girls and women facing violence, poverty, migration, and exploitation.

Our conversations brought to life the holistic and integrated approach adopted by sisters and partners-in-mission across Peru, including community-based prevention initiatives, technical and vocational training, education, spiritual accompaniment, and survivor-centered programs addressing violence and trafficking. These efforts embody Good Shepherd values of mercy, justice, reconciliation, and inclusion, and respond directly to the lived realities of communities throughout the country.

I shared about the work of Justicia y Paz Internacional del Buen Pastor at the United Nations, including our advocacy on the rights and dignity of girls and women, migration, trafficking, economic justice, and integral ecology. Together, we reflected on how local experience fuels global advocacy, and how engagement at the United Nations can elevate grassroots wisdom and good practices to a global stage. Fostering these relationships is essential to ensure that the transformative work happening on the ground informs international dialogue and contributes to broader systemic change.

We explored capacity building y leadership development through training that supports girls’ advocacy and participation at local and global levels, with a strong emphasis on reflecting the languages, realities, and lived experiences of girls in Peru. Linda shared reflections on the leadership she already sees within Good Shepherd programs, where girls are not only participants but emerging leaders with the insight and courage to shape change in their communities.

Looking ahead, these conversations opened space for deeper collaboration, including strengthening pathways for ministries in Peru to inform global advocacy and fostering mutual learning around international human rights mechanisms. By connecting local action with global influence, this collaboration strengthens coordinated advocacy on shared priorities such as trafficking prevention, safe migration, economic justice, and the rights and dignity of girls and women.

Our time together was marked by hope, alignment, and a shared commitment to walk forward together. We look forward to continuing to build bridges between local Good Shepherd ministries and global advocacy efforts. By ensuring that grassroots projects, good practices, and the leadership of girls are heard, valued, and amplified, we can strengthen our collective impact for justice, dignity, and systemic change.