Meet the Canouses
Carolyn and Jack Canouse love travel and adventure, but no place on earth has stolen their hearts like San Juan de Lurigancho, Lima, Peru. It started as a spring break trip with their daughters, who were given the choice of mission work in Peru or Disney World. It was no choice for the girls who had previously been and wanted to share the experience with their parents. Rachel recalls, "The first morning mom opened the door to the apartment, (at Pat's Place, a shelter for women and children) and 5 year old Cielo peeked in. She saw Jack and ran into his arms. He looked at me and smiled and said 'Oh, I think I'm going to like it here.'" As their relationships with the Peruvian people grew, they became Mama Carolyn & Papa Jack. They are "adoptive" parents to many who don't have a mom or dad, and "second" parents to the others.
Why Peru? The Canouses identified how they could bring lasting change to an area where the average family income is only $192 per month. In a country where there is no need-based financial aid for college, Make a Miracle gives full scholarships to young people who demonstrate motivation and the desire to give back to their communities. In return for the scholarship, these students run our housing, youth development, and free health care programs across Peru and now Colombia. Make a Miracle was founded in Peru in 2015 and has been growing ever since thanks to many generous supporters who saw that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty in these communities. In 2023 we made the jump across country lines to Colombia where we are seeing quick growth and similar positive results. Want to come see what we are doing first hand? Check out our "team trips" page to see when we are going to Peru next.
Who we are
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and empowering individuals in Colombia and Peru through education. Together with our partners and sponsors, we work tirelessly to break the cycle of poverty and create brighter futures for talented students in the region. Join us in our mission to make a difference and transform lives.
Our Mission
Our mission is to bring hope and lasting change to Colombia and Peru. We work with individuals and communities to transform lives through education, scholarships, housing and community projects.
Core Values
Education
Expanding learning opportunities daily for ongoing transformation.
Paying It Forward
Uniting with local communities to drive positive change.
Love & Compassion
Serving others humbly without discrimination.
Integrity
Embracing honesty in all actions, even when unseen.
Positive Attitude
Spreading optimism, joy and hope in every endeavor.
Sponsor a future professional in Peru or Colombia for $99/Month.
For just $99 a month, you can transform a young person’s life in Peru or Colombia. Your sponsorship provides access to education, health care, and essential resources, allowing them to break free from poverty. With support from caring mentors, these students are equipped to build a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities.