Megan Ramirez is a speech and language pathologist and a CMMB international volunteer who served in Trujillo, Peru. She is originally from New Jersey.

 

In Peru, Megan worked as a speech pathologist with CMMB’s Rehabilitation with Hope project- a community-based service program that assists children with physical and cognitive disabilities by providing much-needed access to quality therapy. It is based on the implementation of the World Health Organization’s community-based rehabilitation model. Megan is changing the world. You can too.

“Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) was initiated by WHO following the Declaration of Alma-Ata in 1978 in an effort to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families; meet their basic needs; and ensure their inclusion and participation. While initially a strategy to increase access to rehabilitation services in resource-constrained settings, CBR is now a multisectoral approach working to improve the equalization of opportunities and social inclusion of people with disabilities while combating the perpetual cycle of poverty and disability. CBR is implemented through the combined efforts of people with disabilities, their families and communities, and relevant government and non-government health, education, vocational, social and other services.”  Source: WHO

Disabilities

The WHO and World Bank’s World Report on Disability, estimates that approximately one billion people are living with a disability globally. Of this, 1 in 10 are children and 80 percent live in developing countries.

The daily reality for children living with disabilities and their families is frequently one of discrimination, stigma, and exclusion. The myths, misconceptions, and fear around children who are differently abled means that families often experience isolation. This of course impacts a child’s experience of life – when they are hidden away from the community where they live. It also further limits their life chances.

In addition to providing essential therapies to children, Rehabilitation with Hope helps to restore dignity, while reintegrating families into the community.

Rehabilitation for Hope was started with an international volunteer, Amber Walker, who saw a need and filled it.

Agents of Change

One of the best outcomes of our Rehabilitation with Hope program in Peru, is that is allows mothers to see themselves as agents of change – to realize that they have the capacity to help their children to overcome obstacles and achieve more than they ever could have imagined.

Rehabilitation with Hope Program, Peru

Look at the pride on this mother’s face as her daughter receives therapies that can change her life for the better!

Find Your Angel

Through our Angel Investor program, you can become an agent of change by providing children with disabilities the essential therapies and healthcare they need. Meet the children who need your help by clicking here and selecting ‘Peru’ on the country drop-down menu.