Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities have little to no access to education in Peru. Celeste built the Manos Unidas school program for students with I/DD after a trip to South America where she met youth with autism who had no formal education. Since that time, nearly 15 years ago, her school has grown to over 100 students, with family support, inclusion and a vocational program that operates a café for job readiness. Some of the students who work in the café are now providing income for their entire families. 

As with the rest of the world, Peru has been hard hit by COVID-19. Ninety percent of the school’s families have lost their jobs because of response to the virus. The school is rallying to continue with distance learning but as a private school run mostly on student tuition, its continued existence is threatened.  US dollars go a long ways in Peru, and a little support may fund a student’s tuition for a good while. 

If you find yourself looking for a way to support others during the Coronavirus, please make a donation to the children of Manos Unidas. Keeping the school going now will ensure these students and their families will have access to education, needed supports, and the promise of a self-determined future.  

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: