How is it July already?
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year! The past couple of months have been a real mix of challenges and successes, and we’re delighted to share some wonderful updates from Peru.
One of the biggest highlights has been welcoming even more children to the Mama Cocha Therapy Programme. Every new child represents another family receiving the support, guidance and opportunities they deserve, and we couldn’t be happier to see the programme continue to grow.
Perhaps even more encouraging has been the increasing involvement of our families.
More parents and carers are actively participating in their children’s therapy, learning new techniques and building confidence to continue supporting their child’s development at home. This partnership between our therapists and families is at the heart of everything we do, helping children make progress not just during therapy sessions, but every day.
Watching families become empowered and seeing children reach new milestones reminds us why this work is so important. None of it would be possible without your continued encouragement, generosity and belief in our mission.
🎉 Happy 1st anniversary, Mama Cocha!
This month we’re incredibly proud to celebrate the first anniversary of the Mama Cocha Centre we opened in July 2025!
What felt like the impossible after COVID, has become a thriving community where children with disabilities and their families receive life-changing therapy, support and hope.
Over the past year we’ve seen children achieve milestones many never thought possible, parents grow in confidence, and a wonderful community built around inclusion, compassion and opportunity.
To everyone who has supported Mama Cocha over the past year—our therapists, volunteers, sponsors, donors and supporters—thank you. This milestone belongs to every one of you.
As we celebrate our first anniversary, we’re more determined than ever to continue expanding our reach and ensuring that every child has the chance to thrive.
🌟 Meet Our New Trustee – Nicole Neumeister
We’re delighted to officially welcome Nicole Neumeister to the Kiya Board of Trustees as our new Trustee-Secretary.
Nicole brings more than 15 years of experience in programme management, organisational development and strategic leadership, having worked across the public, private and non-profit sectors throughout Europe, the Middle East and North America.
Her wealth of knowledge and experience will be an invaluable asset as Kiya continues to grow and expand its impact, helping even more children and families in Peru.
Nicole first became involved with Kiya through our Chairperson, Olivia Rossdale, initially volunteering some of her spare time to support the charity. After learning more about our work and witnessing the difference Kiya makes to the lives of children with disabilities and their families, she knew she wanted to become more involved.
“What inspires me most is Kiya’s commitment to creating real, lasting change for children and families, and I am proud to play a small part in supporting that mission.”
– Nicole Neumeister
We’re incredibly grateful to have Nicole join our Board of Trustees and are excited about the knowledge, passion and fresh perspective she brings to the team.
Welcome to the Kiya family, Nicole!
The countdown is finally on!
On 31st July, we’re excited to welcome four amazing families to Peru. After months of fundraising and preparation, they’ll finally be joining us for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
A huge thank you goes to Rupert House School, whose pupils, staff and wider community worked incredibly hard to raise funds in support of Kiya and the families fund raising target. Their generosity has enabled us to purchase two much-needed wheelchairs for Zeus and Lian, giving both children greater comfort, independence and the opportunity to participate more fully in everyday life.
During their visit, our volunteers will also be helping to build a much-needed bathroom for one of our families, alongside taking part in a variety of improvement projects around the Mama Cocha Centre.
Their enthusiasm, kindness and willingness to get stuck in will make an enormous difference to the families we support.
We can’t wait to welcome them to Peru!
📱 Follow the Adventure!
We’ll be sharing daily photos, videos and updates throughout the volunteer trip, so you can experience the journey alongside us.
If you don’t already follow us on Instagram, now is the perfect time!
Follow @kiyasurvivors for behind-the-scenes updates, volunteer stories and plenty of smiles from Peru.
đź’ś In Memory of Rosario
Unfortunately, we received some very sad news this month.
We were recently contacted by the women’s refuge in Lima where Rosario, one of our former residents and patients, had been living. They informed us that Rosario sadly passed away.
Many of our long-term supporters will remember Rosario’s story, but for those who do not, she was one of the young women who left an indelible mark on all of our hearts.
We first met Rosario in 2012 when she was just 15 years old. Behind her quiet gaze was a lifetime of neglect, isolation and hardship that no child should ever endure.
Rosario’s father left when she was very young after she experienced her first convulsion. Tragically, her mother died at only 16 years of age from an unknown illness, leaving Rosario in the care of her grandparents, who themselves lived in extreme poverty and difficult circumstances.
When we found her, Rosario had spent most of her life hidden away from the world. She had received little care, stimulation or human interaction and was living in conditions that were simply inhumane. Severely malnourished, suffering regular seizures, covered in sores and largely confined to a mattress, she had been denied the basic dignity and opportunities every child deserves.
What struck us most was not her condition, but her resilience.
Despite everything she had endured, Rosario showed incredible strength. She taught us about perseverance, about the human capacity to survive against impossible odds, and about why the fight for children’s rights and disability inclusion in Peru remains so important.
After years of advocacy and persistence, we were eventually able to secure safer living arrangements and support for Rosario. While her journey was never an easy one, we are grateful that she experienced periods of safety, care and companionship that had been absent for so much of her early life.
Rosario’s story became one of the driving forces behind Kiya’s work. She reminded us that behind every statistic is a child, a person, a life that matters.
Today, we remember Rosario with love, sadness and gratitude. We honour her memory by continuing the work that she inspired—ensuring that children with disabilities are seen, valued, protected and given the opportunity to live with dignity.
Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and cared for Rosario.
Rest in peace, Rosario. You will never be forgotten. đź’ś
Thank You for your continued support, it means a so very much!
Every child who joins our therapy programme, every family we support, every volunteer who gives their time, every trustee who shares their expertise, and every donor who believes in our mission is helping to create lasting change.
Thank you for being part of the Kiya family. Your kindness, generosity and continued support are transforming lives every single day.
We look forward to sharing more updates with you in our next newsletter.
With gratitude,
The Kiya Survivors Team
