About Us

Program for a Better Peru is a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for underprivileged residents of Peru. We work with local communities and families to provide goods and services where they are most needed. Our goal is not just to offer handouts, but also to empower our beneficiaries to make educational and economic choices that will lead them from the cycle of poverty.

Our organization was founded in 2006 in Massachusetts and is currently headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. We have no paid employees; all of our work is carried out by volunteer staff in the United States and Peru. We are not affiliated with any political or religious organizations.

Program for a Better Peru is a tax-exempt charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax deductible.

Board of Directors

Erika Tustin founded Program for a Better Peru in 2006 with her husband, Aaron. She is originally from Arequpa, Peru. Before moving to the United States in 2004, Ms. Tustin was involved in several charitable endeavors in her hometown, including a program to increase literacy among poor women. Ms. Tustin holds a Professional Technician in Hotel Management Services degree from the Instituto Superior Publico Honorio Delgado Espinoza in Arequipa, Peru.

Aaron Tustin is the co-founder, with his wife Erika, of Program for a Better Peru. Mr. Tustin is a United States citizen who has traveled extensively throughout South America, including many trips to Peru. He has been active in community service in the Boston area, and later in Nashville where he now lives. Mr. Tustin is particularly interested in using microcredit and public health projects to reduce poverty in his wife's country. He holds a bachelor's degree in physics from MIT and a master's degree in astronomy from Harvard. Mr. Tustin is currently a medical student at Vanderbilt University.

Ryan Ogburn is a philanthropically-minded information systems professional who has volunteered with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. A United States citizen, Mr. Ogburn has spent several months in Central and South America, including extended travel in Peru. He graduated from Trinity Christian College with degrees in music and film.