On Wednesday, September 5, 2018, CMMB Peru received a very special visit from Maria José Lora – Miss Grand International 2017. Maria José is a celebrity in Peru, and a well known advocate for the rights and well-being of mothers and children.

Group Shot of Miss Grand and people in Trujillo

Miss Grand International Peru during her first visit to our beneficiaries in Trujillo, Peru.

Maria José first visited CMMB Peru in February, just before beginning a very busy travel schedule. During this visit, she accompanied the CMMB technical team and met community health agents who are working on health education projects like the First Thousand Days Project.

After her time in the field, María José highlighted that it was strength of the mothers of La Esperanza that gave her the most hope. “Their desire to provide a better future for their children and to improve the conditions of their home and community life is inspiring.”

Together, we can make life better for women and children living in poverty.

Her commitment to advocating on behalf of women and children is what ultimately led her to CMMB. Drawn to our mission and eager to be part of the solution, she joined CMMB Peru as an ambassador. This role will allow her to continue her work advocating for those who are too often unheard and raising awareness about the conditions of the most vulnerable in Peru.

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

With a Little Help From My Friends

During her most recent visit, Maria Jose invited Jessica Newton, the Director of  The Miss Peru Organization and a group of young women involved in the organization to join her. “We need each other if we are going to make a real, lasting change.”
Our special guests were given a warm reception from the CMMB family, and went on tours of our project facilities, learning more about the work while meeting the women, children, and communities directly impacted by the programs and activities.

First Stop: A Visit to the Rehabilitation with Hope Learning Center

CMMB’s Rehabilitation with Hope is an community-based program that works to bring improved health and dignity to children with disabilities and their families.

Our special guests had the opportunity to witness our team of therapists in action. They saw children receive physical speech, and occupational therapy, asking many questions along the way. The encounters between the women representing the Miss Peru Organization and our CMMB team were beautiful. “There was a genuine sense of respect expressed by the Miss Peru team. They truly helped our team of therapists realize how important their work is,” remarks Dr. Ariel, CMMB Peru’s country director. He continued, “Watching the encounters between the Miss Peru representatives and the children in this program was touching. They got down on the ground and talked to and held hands with the children. It was really beautiful to witness this.”

What a privilege it has been.

Miss Grand International at RCB

The Miss Peru team meeting the children who are part of our rehabilitation with hope program

An emotional moment with Melody Calderon Vega, Miss Perú Trujillo 2017

Next: The First Thousand Day Program

After our time at the Rehabilitation with Hope Learning Center, we moved into the communities, to meet women and children at their homes.

As we moved around the community, a member of CMMB’s technical team explained, “poverty, food insecurity, and lack of proper sanitation and hygiene are a reality in the communities where we work. Chronic malnutrition is all too common, affecting children’s development and ultimately their futures.”

Our First Thousand Days program is aimed at improving the health outcomes for the most vulnerable. We prioritize mother–baby dyads from gestation through age five.

We give moms information about healthy practices around nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene and about appropriate nutritional supplementation for children who are underweight or malnourished. We have instituted community health‐surveillance systems, battled gender-based violence, and addressed economic self‐sufficiency.  

We have also:

  • Increased awareness, knowledge, and home-based behaviors around locally identified public health issues and promoted positive behavior change.
  • Increased access to health and social services, taking a primary healthcare approach.
  • Improved the quality of services for women and children in the formal health system.
  • Empowered communities to identify and implement programs to improve public health.
  • Trained and mentored clinicians in order to ensure high-quality care for babies and young children.

Maria José Lora at CMMB PeruDuring this next stop our visitors were able to meet mothers and children enrolled in this program. One mother told Maria José that her child, who once suffered from anemia, is now on the road to recovery thanks to the First Thousand Days program.

Although anemia is on the rise throughout Peru, we are proud to report that it is falling in the areas where we work. For example, in Trujillo, the prevalence of anemia actually fell 38.06 percent in children and 23.96 percent among pregnant women in a recent year. This is something to celebrate! 

CMMB speaking to Miss Grand International

CMMB Staff member, Ariel with a special guest

Jessica Newton, Director of the Miss Peru Organization with CMMB’s Ariel Frisancho

In Her Own Words

A Growing Partnership

CMMB Peru is proud of it’s growing partnership with the Miss Peru Organization, on Sunday, October 21 Anyella Grados was crowned Miss Peru 2019. Following in the footsteps of former Miss Peru, Maria José, as part of her Miss Peru activities, Anyella Grados visited Trujillo where CMMB has many programs with women and children.

Miss Peru 2019

Anyella Grados, Miss Peru 2019

Interested in the Spanish version? Click here.

Learn more about our work in Peru