JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 8, 2011) An Army civilian, born in Peru and now serving in Iraq, has a passion for helping the poor and needy. For his efforts, he was selected as a 2011 winner of the National Image Meritorious Civilian Award.
The award honors military members and Department of Defense civilians who embody core values of their service or agency.
Jesus Quispe, responsible officer for the 2nd Battalion, 402nd Army Field Support Brigade, received the award for his many volunteer efforts creating international partnerships and community service.
Some of his achievements include developing the first five-year partnership between Iraq and the state of Oregon, Oregon State University and the non-profit Michael Scott Mater Foundation, focusing on sustaining engineering, agriculture and forestry development.
Quispe, now an American citizen, also helped develop the MSMF Green Micro Loan Initiative which has lent more than $120,000 to vulnerable citizens in Peru and in his adopted hometown of Charlotte, N.C., to start sustainable businesses.
“In Peru we lent to 100 individuals and we had 100 percent repayment of micro loans which means we can lend to other people. The majority are women,” Quispe said.
“But we do more than just lend money,” Quispe said, “We mentor and coach people in small business, people with great ideas but no finances. Our vision (with MSMF) is to build sustainable communities to change people’s lives.”
Quispe’s off-duty life is entirely devoted to community service and international partnering. The hope is that reaching out across borders, creating small businesses in remote villages in Peru will benefit his local community in Charlotte as well.
Quispe’s dedication stems from his belief that when you help an individual become self-sufficient you fortify a community and his own life provides a template of that mindset. He emigrated to the United States from a small Peruvian village as a 10-year- old who spoke no English.
In his teens, he learned to read, write and speak English through a youth ESL program. Eventually, with the assistance of dedicated mentors, he went to college before joining the U.S. Army where he gained an even greater appreciation of selfless service.
The charity of others, Quispe believes, made a huge difference in his life and that is why he reaches out to others. “At the end of the day I am at peace knowing that I made a difference to someone, somewhere.”
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