We are so much more than a restaurant. We are a safe, creative space where young people living in contexts of violence and poverty can find supportive and meaningful employment. Our story begins with José, the chef and founder of Inti Wok.

My life has been a roller coaster. I grew up in Pamplona Alta, a humble neighborhood where the majority of my neighbors, including my parents, arrived from the rural provinces to seek a better life for their families. I was just 7 years old when the Shining Light guerrilla group started to terrorize Lima. I remember the dynamite and the bombs, the fear we felt every time we had to leave our house. Then, other wars started—gangs, drugs, alcohol… I started to head down that path maybe because I felt like I had no other option.

I remember the first time I learned how to use a wok and cook over an intense gas-fired flame. I felt empowered and learned how to value myself and control my emotions. I felt hopeful, like I could do anything I set my mind to. Mastering that skill set me on a new path; it saved my life.

Even though I’ve always been a man of faith, it wasn’t very visible until I understood that everything that had happened in my life was a lesson, that God was preparing me to return to Pamplona Alta with a different strength. This is why I want to work with young people in my neighborhood who are struggling with violence or addiction. I want to show them that there is hope, that we can be light in a dark place. I want them to celebrate who they are and where they come from. I want them to find a new sense of purpose.