Nicaragua
Health and Dignity for All
Disarm is providing social outreach and medical treatment for the families of Nicaragua who have nowhere to turn for relief from illness, injury, and discrimination.
Disarm is also an important advocate for putting an end to U.S. intervention in Nicaraguan foreign affairs. For example, structural adjustment policies tied to IMF/World Bank loans have resulted in major cutbacks of vital social programs and greatly exacerbated inequities in health and health care services.
Disarm's innovative programs in Nicaragua are encouraging remarkable changes and new hope for the people of Nicaragua.
The Los Pipitos Project
In Nicaragua, Disarm works with Foundation Los Pipitos. Los Pipitos is the only foundation in Nicaragua working to assist children with developmental disabilities, while confronting social discrimination through public education campaigns and seminars. Currently, Los Pipitos serves 14,000 families (75,000 people) spread over 73 of Nicaragua's 140 municipalities.
Los Pipitos is the sole non-governmental organization promoting institutional and legal change to enhance the rights and livelihood of its disabled population. They have successfully worked with international and civil society organizations to raise awareness, while providing free family counseling, early childhood education, early detection, rehabilitation, specialized assistance, and training for parents, relatives, community leaders, and health and education professionals. Los Pipitos also pioneered the very first Special Olympics in Nicaragua.
Disarm is now partnering with Los Pipitos to advocate for equal rights for all people with disabilities. Disarm will also assist in funding the expansion of Los Pipitos' program work and staff hiring. Los Pipitos has changed the climate for children living with disabilities. It has single-handedly given life to tens of thousands of children and their families by opening Nicaraguan society to the acceptance of varied disabilities and successfully campaigning for crucial legal rights and equality.
