In 2000, Dr. Sharon Forrest, a multifaceted healer and founder of Healthways International, established the Path of the Heart to provide a means for others to contribute to the well being of children similar to those she had supported for years in Peru’s Sacred Valley. She said, “I decided to start Path of the Heart Fund because I realized that I could no longer do it all alone. More children need sponsorship.” “Mama Sharon,” as she is affectionately called, has helped many children and adults change their lives forever.One of her many “adopted” Peruvian children was Washi, whom she met when he was a child of nine and she was walking up the steps of the temple in Ollantaytambo. Her support of Washi inspired him to give back to the people of his community.

While Dr. Forrest felt it was time to turn over Path of the Heart to others with the same goals, she continues to help children of Peru in many other ways. She is President of The Wayshowers Society and Vice-president of Casa Hogar del Sol, headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., a non profit Peruvian charitable organization. She is very proud that Washi and his brother Carlos, the first Peruvian children she helped, are administering charitable projects in Peru.

Path of the Heart is registered in the State of Delaware as a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization under the name of Sanctuary of Universal Love, Inc. Path of the Heart is an all-volunteer organization. The Board is composed of seven members, all volunteers, six of whom live in the United States and one, Washington Gibaja Tapia (“Washi”), who lives in Peru. Susan McDonald is President/Treasurer; Hanne Madsen is Vice-President in the US; Washi is Vice President for Peru; and Patricia Haim is Secretary.