Physical therapists support CMMB’s Rehabilitation With Hope Program, helping children living with disabilities thrive. (Photography/Omar Lucas for CMMB)


At 28 years old, Yanela has faced enough challenges for a lifetime. She dedicates her life to raising two sons, always putting them first. Alex, her youngest, has autism and lives with Fibromyalgia. His mobility is severely limited, and he requires round-the-clock care and extensive therapy. Every child deserves the chance to thrive. At CMMB, we have always sought to reach those whose circumstances stifle their ability to do so. Yanela and her sons live in a small community in Trujillo, Peru. Here, poverty prevails at soaring rates, and disabilities are feared and stigmatized.

For families like Yanela’s, CMMB’s Rehabilitation with Hope program provides children with disabilities life-changing physical therapy, nutrition and health counseling, and social support. Alex’s participation in the program has helped him thrive, gain strength, and overcome societal obstacles. In many ways, it has done the same for his family.

“Alex has surpassed what I thought was possible for him,” said Yanela. “Now, I am more confident in his ability to become independent. I’ve also learned that there is always something more we can do, and that giving up is not an option. No matter how hard things may seem, someone will be there to help, but you need to actively search for help too.”

Rehabilitation with Hope Therapy Session

Physical therapists lead a session with a member of CMMB’s Rehabilitation with Hope Program.

When Alex turned six, his family faced a new, unimaginable hardship. Yanela began experiencing pain in her mouth. It became so intense that she sought medical care and learned she had cancer. Her best treatment option was in Lima, far from where she and her children lived in Trujillo—far from the support and therapy that Alex needed.

Yanela made the difficult decision to relocate to Lima for treatment. CMMB was there to help. The team ensured that Alex still received his support, bringing his physical therapy sessions to his home. Yanela’s healing process was that much easier, knowing Alex would continue receiving support while she was away.

She underwent radiation and chemotherapy. Most importantly, even though she was far from home, she never felt alone. The community of mothers and caregivers who make up the Rehabilitation with Hope Program constantly checked in, offering her prayers and positivity. They even held weekly virtual prayers to encourage Yanela.

Yanela considers it a miracle that when she started to feel as though hope was lost, another biopsy showed that her treatment was successful. She was cancer-free.

“These past two years have brought many challenges, but I truly believe that God never abandons us.”

Following her recovery, CMMB invited Yanela to participate in a mental wellness program for parents. These sessions offered her a safe space to be heard and supported by a volunteer psychologist, fellow mothers, and Rehabilitation with Hope therapists. The community uplifted Yanela so much so that she wanted to do more—even while still on her healing journey, even while still her son’s primary caregiver.

Inspired by the support she received, Yanela is a community health worker. She is trained to visit families at home and promote good health. When she sees a family struggling under the weight of a societal stigma, a mother overwhelmed, or a child showing signs of anxiety, she knows that there are resources available to help them maintain their mental well-being—just as there were for her during the most challenging time of her life.