Since meeting Celeste Marion in 2014, I have been a fervent believer in the mission of Manos Unidas Peru (MUP) in Cusco. MUP’s work is life-changing through the support they provide to the most vulnerable children in a part of the world that, despite its beautiful and rich culture, is challenged by the stigma and lack of resources for children with disabilities.

MUP has been unwavering in their commitment to improve the lives of children with disabilities and their families by equipping them with the tools they need to live their best lives as active participants in their community. They have fought for inclusion in the school system and workplace and have given their families hope for a brighter future.

At every step, MUP has made decisions that are in the best interest of their students, including offering a sliding tuition scale that takes each family’s personal circumstances into account while ensuring they receive the highest quality education. Their decision to open the Manos Unidas Café has given their young adults a chance to both be active members of their community while also bringing in much-needed income to support their families.

From Latin America to South Asia to Africa, the pandemic is confronting low and middle- income countries with a public health emergency combined with an economic crisis, each exacerbating the other. The same forces are playing out in wealthy nations, too. But in poor countries — where billions of people live in proximity to calamity even in the best of times — the dangers are amplified.

The COVID-19 crisis has hit us all hard and it has been especially challenging for the families that MUP serves. 90% of MUP’s family livelihoods depend on their income from the tourism and service industries, but they have been completely shut down. Schools are shut down, so MUP is rapidly adapting their curriculum to become virtual, as its services are essential for each family. The reality is that while we are committed to providing education both virtually for the immediate term and in-person once the lockdown restrictions are lifted, our families will be unable to pay their tuition for the rest of the year. Student tuition is MUP’s main revenue source and it is now gone for 2020.

I am asking you to please give generously during this time of crisis in order to allow MUP to keep its doors open, pay its staff, and continue to provide the invaluable education and services to its many students and families who are suffering greatly right now.

Please stay safe and healthy,

Thank you for your support of MUP.

Cheryl

Manos Unidas Peru' mission is to improve the quality of life of children and youth with disabilities. We offer affordable sliding scale tuition to all families, giving children with disabilities access to quality education and therapies. But now, MUP’s main revenue source will dissolve given the financial hardship families are facing because of the global coronavirus pandemic. We refuse to discriminate and provide access to MUP's services to only those who can pay. To provide support for the 71 Manos Unidas students for reminder of the 2020 school year we need to raise $50,000.

Help us so we do not fail our community, whose lives we have worked so hard to improve over the last 10 years. Watch our powerful video here: