OUR STORY
We believe every person deserves dignity, purpose, and the love of family. Our calling is to live that belief, every day.
PERU · THE LIVE SIMPLY FAMILYFAITH THAT SHOWS UP
Live Simply for Orphans is a Christian ministry serving in Characato and Arequipa, Peru, and Bucaramanga, Colombia. We share the gospel of Jesus Christ while caring for children and adults who are too often overlooked.
Our work grows through relationships: with local churches, caregivers, families, and the people who give their time and support.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MISSION
BUCARAMANGA, COLOMBIA
David and Cristina Clemmer serve alongside the local community in Colombia. Their ministry includes support for vulnerable children and families, the girls’ transition home, and practical partnerships rooted in faith.
Read their latest updateAREQUIPA, PERU
Pastor Sandro, Maisie, and their sons Steele, Niko, and Hunter returned to Peru as full-time missionaries in August 2026. They serve the special needs home, support families, and share Jesus through the local church.
WHAT GUIDES US
We believe the best long-term home for a child is a healthy family. We support reunification with biological families and advocate for adoption or foster care when appropriate. Practical care helps single parents work and keep their children at home.
Physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs all matter. Through caregivers, skilled partners, and community support, we work toward care that honors each person’s dignity. Our team of caregivers is affectionately known as our Live Simply Forever Family.
Children’s placements are handled through local authorities and established agencies. We contribute resources, relationships, and support. Family-style residential care is a last resort for children with disabilities in crisis. We do not “take in” children: much like child social services in the United States, children are placed by local police, government agencies and churches.
Live Simply is committed to encourage and equip our community to embrace the Christian Church with ongoing teaching, intentional activities, and by celebrating exceptional behavior.
AFTER-SCHOOL FEEDING CENTER
This program was geared to single mom families and children who live in extreme poverty. Every child in the project lives in very challenging situations. We fed these kids lunch, have Bible time devotion, and do arts and crafts, but we also do very basic “need things” such as hair washing, teeth brushing, hand washing and shoe shining. We provide haircuts and school supplies. We simply share the love of family and purpose.
Many moms work in the fields 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, earning less than $2 per day. Fully fed kids, both spiritually and physically, return home with homework done, causing no burden to the family and keeping kids at home rather than on the streets at night.
Help feed our communityJUST THE FACTS
For many of our children,
this is the only warm
meal of the day.
Of children affected by
chronic malnutrition
Of children under three
affected by anemia
A day earned by many
moms working the fields
We believe the best option for long-term care of any child is within a thriving, healthy family. We celebrate the reunification of children with their biological families. We advocate for adoption or foster care if needed. Although we provide exceptional, family-style after school care in a safe, nurturing environment, we view our home as the best, last resort for special needs children in crisis. Our ministry allows single parents to hold steady jobs by providing the needed care, protection and love after school to prevent child abandonment.
The children we love are under the jurisdiction of Peru’s government much like the United States Child Social Services. We do not “take in” children. Children are placed by local police/government agencies and churches. With a position of humility, we are providing resources, systems, and compassion to help provide the very best residential care options for its most vulnerable children.
We provide comprehensive care by partnering with a team of experts and passionate support staff to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual and educational needs of every boy and girl. Our team of caregivers and the standard of excellence we strive for is affectionately known as our Live Simply Forever Family. Every child is taught, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ’s family.
Live Simply is committed to encourage and equip our community to embrace the Christian Church with ongoing teaching, intentional activities, and by celebrating exceptional behavior.
For many of our children, this will be the only warm meal of the day.
This program was geared to single Mom families and children who live in extreme poverty. Every child in the project lives in very challenging situations. We fed these kids lunch, have Bible time devotion, we do arts and craft but we also do very basic “need things” such as hair washing, teeth brushing, hand washing, shoe shining, we provide haircuts and school supplies. We simply share the LOVE of family and purpose.
For many of our children, this will be the only warm meal of the day. On empty stomachs, kids don’t have the energy to focus, engage, learn and grow. Children struggling with hunger may be more likely to repeat a grade in elementary school, experience developmental impairments in language/motor skills and have more social and behavioral problems.
Many Mom’s work in the fields 10 hours a day 6 days a week earning less than $2 per day. We were providing this for the severely distressed/poor kids in the Live Simply community. This project is seeking ways to prevent child abandonment allowing fully fed kids both spiritually and physically to return home with homework done causing no burden to the family allowing to keep kids at home rather than the streets at night.
Chronic child malnutrition affects 35 percent of children. Anemia affects over 46 percent of children under the age of three. Insufficient access to food, poor consumption patterns, inadequate childcare, poor nutrition practices and low educational levels are the main drivers of chronic child malnutrition and anemia in Peru. Sponsor Live Simply help feed our community!
THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU IN THIS STORY.
