Inspiring Women Fall 2018

Colombia: Helping Para/Quadriplegics
CINDY PEREIRA
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I come from a long line of family members who were
ACTIVISTS WITHOUT LABELS. “In the Old Days” people
helped people, because it was the proper thing to do.
As a child I observed my family helping their own
family members, neighbors and the outer communities
as well. I learned that I was to be considerate and to
participate. Caring for others was just a given in my
family’s life.
In 1977, I married a wonderful Colombian man and left
for a life of adventure in Bogotá, Colombia. I soon
discovered many situations that just cried out for
attention. Shortly afterwards, I found the American
Women’s Club of Bogotá, AWC, and another world opened up. I discovered the wonderful
world of Volunteerism!
I never knew there were SO MANY different areas of need. Coming from the United States of
America and coming from the family I did, it was very easy for me to begin the adventure. I also
discovered that while helping others, I was distracted from my own discomforts and longings.
Volunteering was great therapy!
In 1989, a small group of AWC Volunteers, led by Mary McCormick took a Christmas Party and
lunch to the Asociación De Parapléjicos No Pensionados (APNOP.) It was such a pleasure to
work with them and at the end of the party, they applauded us with their atrophied hands and
that became the arrow through my heart! I was voted President of the American Women’s Club
of Bogotá for the first time in 1992. The AWC approved helping APNOP with a donation to
enable them to print hand-painted Christmas cards and sell them in the community and that
was the beginning of my adventure
with APNOP.
I had a vision of a ranch style rehab
center for paraplegic and
quadriplegic patients. In my vision it
would be an ecological park that
would have housing, training, food
and animals all on the same
grounds. Each of those sections
would help to make this project
able to sustain itself.
• The housing enables the
patient and a companion to
American Women’s Club of Bogotá,
Columbia
From: San Antonio, Texas
Lives: Bogotá, Colombia