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“Love is patient, love is kind. It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
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Erika, 8 years old in Trujillo, Peru
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With increased evidence linking
the Zika virus and babies born with microcephaly, I wanted to share with
you the story of Erika. She was born with microcephaly in a remote
town in rural Peru eight years ago. Her head was abnormally small, her
brain under developed. Young, isolated and overwhelmed, Erika’s mother
simply couldn’t cope with her daughter’s disability. The stigma and
the lack of support were too much for her broken heart to handle, so she
gave up.
During the first five years
of Erika's life, she was neglected. Her mother didn't know how to take
care of her. She spent day after day, and year after year, in a
crib. Tears and screams were the only way she could communicate. When
Erika was five years old, Maria, a dedicated CMMB healthcare worker approached
the family so they could join CMMB's child rehabilitation program. With
Maria’s help and guidance, Erika's grandmother started working with
CMMB and took over Erika's care.
CMMB physical and speech therapists, Maria and Mercy, have been meeting
with Erika and her grandmother every week for the past three years.
Regular therapy helped Erika build strength to hold up her head, and
start to crawl. With ongoing support, Erika is now standing on her own,
if just for a few moments. She recognizes the faces that have
surrounded her with love and support, and for the first time, Erika
shows affection back to them.
It is only with generosity of people like you that a little girl like Erika can come so far.
The fast spread of the Zika virus is truly frightening. But you can help, today. Please
join us to rehabilitate more children like Erika and help us prevent
the further spread of Zika in countries at great risk, like Peru and
Haiti. Your support changes the lives of children.
We truly thank you for being a willing instrument of God's love.
Happy St. Valentine’s Day,
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Sincerely,
Bruce Wilkinson
CMMB President & CEO
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Our mailing address is:
CMMB
100 Wall Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10005
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