In the lush valley of Pumapuquio, Peru, a quiet revolution is taking root—led by a young farmer named Félix Palomino. At just 28 years old, Félix has become a beacon of innovation, resilience and community spirit in his region, thanks to the transformative support of WN.

Félix lives with his wife, Lucero Pillaca, and their one-year-old daughter. They are surrounded by a garden that bursts with apples, plums, pears and peaches. The garden not only nourishes the family but offers shade and serenity.

A Seed of Change

Félix’s journey with WN began in 2020, when he attended a workshop on greenhouse vegetable production. That single event planted a seed of curiosity and ambition. “From that moment,” Félix recalls, “I became very interested in WN’s proposals and participated in every initiative I could.”

His enthusiasm led him to an internship at a local cooperative, a pivotal experience that opened his eyes to new agricultural techniques and possibilities. Inspired, Félix returned home and began constructing a small greenhouse for strawberry production. To his surprise, the greenhouse’s microclimate accelerated germination and growth, turning the space into a thriving nursery.

Growing More Than Crops

Today, Félix is a specialist in seedling production. His nursery is a hub of activity, where enriched soils are prepared and seedlings are disinfected, grafted and nurtured until they’re ready for sale.

This enterprise has significantly boosted his family’s income, earning him an average of $150 per week—an impressive leap from previous years. But Félix isn’t stopping there. He’s reinvesting his earnings to expand the nursery and build a fish farm capable of producing 10,000 trout annually.
His vision extends beyond personal success. He wants his farm to become a learning center—a place where neighbors, young farmers, and community leaders can come to learn, share, and grow.
WN is helping Félix develop a training plan that will turn his farm into a hub of knowledge and empowerment.

“Even if I had learned just a little from World Neighbors, my life would have changed,” Félix says. “Now I can say that I am what I am thanks to World Neighbors.”

Félix’s story is a powerful testament to the organization’s mission: to inspire lasting change through community-led development. His journey—from a curious workshop attendee to a thriving entrepreneur and future mentor—embodies the spirit of transformation that World Neighbors has championed for decades.