Somos Amigos

Since I haven’t written much in awhile, I’m going to reintroduce ourselves.


We’re Amigos de San Mañuelito. We work with five schools for children with disabilities in Peru and are excited to begin this new year.


Peru is Francisco’s native country – and my favorite place to be.


Our mission is to help children with disabilities in Peru become more independent. We partner with their schools, families, and communities. We went to Peru every year from 2010 to 2019, became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2014, missed four years due to the pandemic and a family emergency (though we did send money for food for families living in poverty), and returned to Peru last June.


We work with two schools in San Ramón, in Peru’s central jungle – San Mañuelito (our namesake school), for children with severe multidisabilities, and PRITE (early intervention program) San Ramón, a program for infants and toddlers with disabilities or at risk. We also work with three schools high in the Andes mountains. These include PRITE Divina Misericordia, an early intervention program in Huancayo, capital of the region;  as well as PRITE Juan Pablo II, also an early intervention program, and Domingo Savio, a school for children with severe multidisabilities, both near the mining town of La Oroya.


We work closely with the directors of the schools. They tell us their priorities and that’s where we focus. Each school is different. Last year we provided physical therapy equipment built by a local carpenter and new tables and chairs for classrooms. We took 31 babies and toddlers, with their mamas, shopping for shoes, and provided food for 31 families. We’re giving ongoing support to several families living in extreme poverty.


The directors, teachers, and therapists have become dear friends and extended family. They, the families, and the children give us much more than we could ever give them. They give us joy.


This, along with the food pantry at our church, are what we believe God is calling us to do at this point in our lives. We’re incredibly grateful. Muchas gracias, Amigos.