Our Story
Co-founders Petit and Franz moved to Peru in the 1990s
They have spent the last decades working to alleviate extreme poverty in Peru’s rural
communities by providing love, care and education through the Sol y Luna Foundation.
You might look at the rural houses in the Sacred Valley and think life there must be simple, even idyllic. However, the harsh reality is that all too often extreme poverty breeds violence, alcoholism and abuse. With no sense of hope, the light goes out in childrens’ eyes… At Sol y Luna, we create positive change by giving two things that all children deserve: love and education.
— Petit Miribel
Timeline
2010
Hotel Sol y Luna expanded, opening Deluxe and Premium casitas, whilst the Sol y Luna School began started offering full primary education2015
2015: The foundation grew to include Paqari, the centre for disabled children2016
Hotel Sol y Luna added a new heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and gym2017
The first Sol y Luna students graduated from the school2018
The Sol y Luna Home opened its doors, providing a safe and loving home for students who have suffered violence or neglect2019
- Petit and Franz’s eldest child, Thomas, graduated from the Sol y Luna School at the age of 17
- The foundation launched Roots & Wings, a programme to support graduates from the Sol y Luna School in their further studies (including International Baccalaureate and University degrees)
2020
Petit and Franz’s youngest child, Melanie, graduated from the Sol y Luna School at the age of 172022
Four Sol y Luna students are continue their studies thanks to support from the Roots & Wings programme: Nery, Kusi and Carolina are studying at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in Lima, and Mateo is studying car mechanics at SENATI in Cusco2009
Having spent the past decade supporting local public schools, the foundation finally opened its own school. The Sol y Luna School began by offering education for kindergarten, and the first few years of primary school2000
Hotel Sol y Luna opened with 14 casitas. The reason for creating the hotel was to raise funds via reservations for the Sol y Luna Foundation1998
Petit and her husband Franz move to the Sacred Valley and together create the Sol y Luna Foundation.Board of Trustees
Dedicated to the belief that every child deserves an education
and to grow up in a safe and loving environment.
The Sol y Luna Foundation is an officially registered charity bringing about positive change by
providing education, care and support for Peruvian children from backgrounds of extreme poverty.
Sol y Luna Foundation Ambassadors
Jean-Bruno Gillot
Jean-Bruno has lived in France, Spain, the USA, Italy and now Brazil. He believes that identity, authenticity and meaningful encounters with people from other cultures are key. For him, the Sol y Luna Foundation is the perfect example of how luxury tourism can (and should!) directly help the lives of locals.
Jean-Bruno Gillot
Margrith Schilter
Margrith was delighted to find motivated teachers and happy students when she visited the Sol y Luna School. The experience inspired her here to start a sponsoring a child: to give a child access to a good education that will hopefully lead to a bright future and many opportunities. She is very happy to be playing a positive part in a child’s life.
Margrith Schilter
Alexis Torazza Gazzone
Alexis is the photographer and filmmaker. His creativity, dedication to storytelling and gentle manner bring warmth to any situation, even the most challenging.
Alexis Torazza Gazzone
Maria Jose Gueudet
Maria Jose trained as an architect and a chef before becoming the General Manager of Hotel B, Lima. She has always had an interest and attachment to the Sol y Luna Foundation. Hotel B sponsors Ruth Celina, one of our Roots & Wings students in Lima.
Maria Jose Gueudet
Gonzalo
Gonzalo was born in Argentina, emigrated to France when he was 20, and now lives in Brazil. He discovered the Sol y Luna Foundation through the world of tourism, and has been fortunate to visit the Sol y Luna Foundation several times. In 2023, along with his husband Juan-Bruno, he started sponsoring Flor Lucero.
Gonzalo
Young Ambassadors
Melanie Schilter
Melanie was born in Cusco and began studying at the Sol y Luna School aged 5. She graduated in 2020 and is passionate about trail running, muay thai and creative writing. For her, the Sol y Luna Foundation transmits the fundamental values of life: love, respect, solidarity, perseverance and inner peace.
Melanie Schilter
Thomas Schilter
Thomas is an alpinist, paragliding pilot, unicyclist and Ambassador for The North Face Peru. He was born in Peru and was among the first students at the Sol y Luna School. He is passionate about the work of the Sol y Luna Foundation, and often uses his challenges to raise money for the foundation.
Thomas Schilter
Lucas Suero
Upon his first visit, Lucas felt tangible feelings of pure happiness within each student - every one of whom has the opportunity to dream big and accomplish things that would otherwise be impossible.
Lucas Suero
Sol y Luna Foundation Board Members
Juany Luque
Juany was born in Urubamba and has worked at Sol y Luna since 2012. She started as an assistant in the accounts department, and is now the Head Accountant and Treasurer of the Sol y Luna Foundation. She is passionate about her work and plays a key role in the foundation.
Juany Luque
Daniel Posen
Daniel has been involved in the hotel and foundation since the outset. He is motivated by achieving an equilibrium between tourism and the local community, and sees the hotel as the motor behind the foundation.
Daniel Posen
Petit Miribel
Petit is the founder of the Sol y Luna Foundation and Hotel. She lives on property and has been in the Sacred Valley since the 1990s working to improve the lives of those living in extreme poverty.
Petit Miribel
Board members
Terry Suero
Terry Suero has visited over 100 countries worldwide. He comes from an Engineering and Business background, and his two passions are travel and psychology. He is a firm believer in leveraging travel and its impact on the psyche to positively transform individuals, families, and groups.
Terry Suero
Chiara Macchiavello
Founder of Peruvian ethical luxury fashion brand Escvdo, Chiara is a designer, artist, social advocate and working mother. Her work is driven by a desire to safeguard ancient weaving techniques, give value to the expertise of local artisans, and promote a positive social impact with local communities. Chiara has always admired the work of the Sol y Luna Foundation and is proud and honoured to be part of it.
Chiara Macchiavello
Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell
Christopher Wilmot- Sitwell is one of the owners of cazenove+loyd. The company has been sending happy clients to Sol y Luna since the lodge opened. His son spent 3 months volunteering at the Sol y Luna Foundation in 2022.
Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell
Carla Suero
Carla Suero has dedicated her life to the improvement of healthcare systems and quality of life for the elderly. She is a mother of two and travels the world with her family because it develops a deep sense of empathy and acceptance. She has a soft spot in her heart for Peru and Incan culture as her children are half Peruvian.
Carla Suero
Federico Von Sanden
Federico Von Sanden runs a small independent travel operator based out of the UK, Germany and Argentina. He grew up in Buenos Aires and now lives in Hampshire, England, although is usually found exploring the globe. Federico has two children of his own, and is the sponsor of Mariela who lives at the Sol y Luna Home.
Federico Von Sanden
Kelly Limo
Kelly was born in Cusco. She is a social communicator by profession, and an agent of change by vocation. She discovered her passion for working to support children through education and inclusion. Now, she is able to develop professionally and personally thanks to the motivation of improving the life of each child at the Sol y Luna Foundation.
Kelly Limo
Sarah Mason
Sarah is the CEO of Mason Rose Private Travel and is based between London and New York. Sarah and her partner Tobey, are the proud sponsors of a little boy named Francisco, who resides full-time at the Sol y Luna Home and studies at the Sol y Luna School.
Sarah Mason
Gabriel Laing
A BBC journalist by background, Gabriel lived in South America for many years. Her main focus is communication and fundraising for the Sol y Luna Foundation. She spends as much time as possible in Peru, and loves bringing her two boys to share time with the children of the Sol y Luna Foundation.
Gabriel Laing
John Montgomery
John Montgomery is the co-founder of LANDED, a custom travel company based in Park City, Utah. He and his wife, Erynn, have four daughters--former Sol y Luna students. They sponsor two children at the Sol y Luna School.