Know
about Our
Our Mission
We are a Christian organization that works to improve the life quality of children, teenagers, and the most vulnerable families; promoting values, comprehensive development, and social inclusion.
Our Vision
"For every child to enjoy their rights and full life in strengthened families"
About startup
Know Our History
Our association was born through recognizing the vulnerability of a group of children with disabilities (cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, deafness, autism, among others …) in situations of poverty in Manchay, from our love for them and lots of will … Our work is inspired by the lives of young people in the United States who have achieved success due to the support of their families and the systemic opportunities they received. And the strength comes from our faith.
Thus, the community, volunteers and families of children with disabilities came together to change the reality of children with disabilities in Manchay. We started collecting money through raffles and small donations to meet the basic needs of our humble rehabilitation center, which we made alive due to the participation of student volunteers from the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation of the National University Mayor de San Marcos.
Today our Community Rehabilitation Center offers physical therapies, empowerment workshops for parents and different family support services. Likewise, we are providing training to teachers on inclusive education in local schools and we are monitoring cases of children who are in a situation of school exclusion. Through our work, we seek to promote the recognition of difference, the potential of each boy and girl, and inclusive education.
We still have a long way to go to be sustainable, but we are grateful for what has been achieved so far and the support that different friends and partners had given us. The Direction of Social Responsibility of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; the Peruvian Society of Down Syndrome, the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute, providing technical advice for our actions; the Community of Portada 3 of Manchay; the Health Facility in Portada de Manchay; the US Embassy which funded the project "No children left behind"; the volunteers from the San Marcos University of the Physical Therapy Department; volunteers from "Faith in Action" and different churches that had collected funds and collaborated in the different activities we carry out; and of course, the mothers and fathers of our children, without whose participation and support our actions would not be possible.
Who does it
Know Our Team
Board of Directors Peru
Fiorella Guerrero Calle
Chair
PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences. Master’s degree in Sociology and Electronic Engineer.
Currently conducts research for the development of instruments diagnosing and measuring functioning and symptoms in people with disabilities and oncology patients.
She completed her PhD studies with the support of a Fulbright Scholarship from the U.S. Government and a grant from the Margaret McNamara Education Grants of the World Bank.
She has 20 years of professional experience across the telecommunications sector, non-profit organizations, and public health research.
Founder of Warmakuna Hope.
PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences. Master’s degree in Sociology and Electronic Engineer.
Currently conducts research for the development of instruments diagnosing and measuring functioning and symptoms in people with disabilities and oncology patients.
She completed her PhD studies with the support of a Fulbright Scholarship from the U.S. Government and a grant from the Margaret McNamara Education Grants of the World Bank.
She has 20 years of professional experience across the telecommunications sector, non-profit organizations, and public health research.
Founder of Warmakuna Hope.
Milagros Arias
Vice Chair
Master’s degree in Economics focused on Social Innovation from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom.
She has experience in the private sector, where she worked as an Information Technology Project Manager at IBM. She has an extensive background in technology.
Furthermore, her career path is oriented toward providing innovative solutions with the goal of impacting social well-being.
Master’s degree in Economics focused on Social Innovation from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom.
She has experience in the private sector, where she worked as an Information Technology Project Manager at IBM. She has an extensive background in technology.
Furthermore, her career path is oriented toward providing innovative solutions with the goal of impacting social well-being.
Edwin Espinoza Alejandro
Institutional Relationships
Edwin holds a degree in Education with a specialization in Psychology and Social Sciences, and a further specialization in Educational Psychology.
He has over 15 years of experience in educational and social projects with vulnerable populations in various non-governmental and state organizations.
He has worked as a National Specialist for the PescaEduca program and as a National Monitor for the Directorate of Alternative Basic Education of the Ministry of Education.
Founder of Warmakuna Hope.
Alejandro Rivas
Legal Adviser
Lawyer with an M.A. in Philosophy, an LL.M. in International Human Rights from the Washington College of Law at American University, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Duke University.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of Paz y Esperanza Perú. He has taught at the university level in the areas of Law and Ethics, and has conducted research and published works on religion and politics, domestic and gender-based violence, and immigration law.
Alejandro has been involved with Warmakuna Hope since its beginnings, promoting volunteer work with churches and the legal empowerment of families.
Marianne López
Economics
Certified Public Accountant with extensive experience in financial advisory.
She supports companies and organizations in optimizing resources and making strategic decisions.
She has also contributed to projects for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), applying her expertise to promote the development and sustainability of initiatives with positive social impact.
Frank Chimpa
Board Secretary
Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.
Completed Basic and Advanced training in the Bobath Concept, certified by IBITA (International Bobath Instructors Training Association).
Currently works in the treatment of patients with neurological injury sequelae.
Board of Directors in the United States
Connie Mathis
Chair
DNP, RN – Registered nurse with over 10 years of experience in clinical care, leadership, and healthcare analytics.
She is passionate about serving others and improving lives both locally and globally through mission-driven work.
She has over three years of experience with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) network, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and physical challenges. She also actively participates in medical and dental mission trips in Peru.
As a board member of Warmakuna Hope, Connie helps advance the organization’s mission to create meaningful impact for communities in Peru and the United States. Her work is rooted in service, leadership, and a deep commitment to caring for vulnerable populations.
Kimberli Ponzio
Vice Chair
Professional Wetland Scientist with more than 38 years of experience studying and managing Florida’s wetland ecosystems for the State of Florida.
She designs and leads ecological research to support science-based management and has served in several volunteer leadership roles with the Society of Wetland Scientists, including President, since 2007.
From 2006–2025, Kimberli served as a Key Coordinator and Board Member for Family Promise of Gainesville, a nonprofit supporting children and families facing homelessness. Over the past three decades, she has volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and Staff Parish Relations Committee member for the United Methodist Church, Den Leader and Assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, and High School Science & Engineering Fair Judge.
Her long-standing commitment to helping children has led her to a new role with Warmakuna Hope, supporting children with disabilities in Peru.
Daniela Moreira
Secretary General
Bachelor of Health Science, with a minor in Portuguese Studies, University of Florida, 2020.
Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, University of Florida, 2023.
She has one year of experience at an outpatient pediatric rehabilitation clinic and a year and a half in her current role providing rehabilitation services to older adults at a skilled nursing facility.
In graduate school, she completed her capstone project at Warmakuna Hope, spending four months developing an occupational therapy evaluation process, facilitating occupation-based activities for current patients, and assessing and recommending home renovations to improve accessibility.
Currently serves as a board member for Warmakuna Hope US.
Mónica Cabrera
Board Member
Dr. Mercedes Alva
Fundraising Secretary
Jose Salvatierra Rivera
Member
Other Members
- Abigail Cortez
- Estefano Ramírez
- Jonatan Cuéllar Saldívar
- Mauricio Córdova Torres
- Paolo Muñoz Pacheco
