Updates from Casa Hogar in Peru with Msgr. Joseph Hirsch & Fr. Kyle Laylan
Host Jack Socha interviews Monsignor Joseph Hirsch in Lurín, Peru, about Casa Hogar’s COVID-19 precautions, limited vaccine access in Peru, and how the children are coping, including visits with family, time at home, and quarantines with Mass and holy hour on Zoom. They discuss Peru’s close presidential election, demonstrations in Lima, and Casa Hogar’s current population of about 70 children in a family-based model founded by Father Joe Walijewski. Fr. Kyle Laylan shares his background, prior mission experience in Peru and Bolivia, Spanish ministry, early impressions of Casa Hogar, daily responsibilities, and adapting to local culture. Hirsch gives updates on obtaining computers and tablets for remote schooling, explains how visitors hand-carry technology, and outlines needs including building repairs after a 6.8 earthquake and a better integrated Wi‑Fi system. He also describes sharing purified water and bread with a nearby girls’ orphanage, supporting an oxygen plant for hospitals, and notes new development leadership. The episode closes with a story about donated carbon fiber guitars from Matt and Sherri McPherson and the Salvation Poem.
00:00 Calling Peru Casa Hogar
00:50 Kids and COVID Rules
02:31 Vaccines and Variants
03:28 Peru Election Fallout
06:19 Casa Hogar Mission
08:07 Host COVID Update
10:07 Meet Father Kyle
12:04 First Impressions Abroad
15:08 Settling In and Duties
19:23 COVID Limits and Driving
21:39 Staying Connected and Weather
23:08 Food and Daily Life
23:43 Meals and Local Food
24:41 Spice Levels Peru vs Mexico
25:40 Amaranth and Food Exports
26:47 Kids Stories and Resilience
28:02 Family Model and Music
30:46 Host Notes and Big Updates
32:54 Remote School Tech Push
35:10 Volunteer Groups and Noelle
40:04 Water Bread and Catechesis
42:06 Oxygen Plant and Wish List
45:20 How to Donate and Contact
48:29 Wrap Up and Guitar Story
51:27 Carbon Fiber Guitars Miracle
55:42 Salvation Poem Closing