CIREC

Organizational Vision
Citizen Base Strategy
How It's Working
Lessons Learned

Organizational Vision

CIREC works to encourage the inclusion of and increase opportunities in society for marginalized persons stricken with disabilities, particularly those injured by landmines and other forms of brutality. In Colombia, armed violence and landmines have led to an inordinately large population with serious disabilities, including loss of limbs. CIREC provides extensive medical services in the area of orthopedics and physical rehabilitation, as well as the research, design, and production of orthopedic elements like prostheses. The organization is also committed to developing activities to promote, educate, prevent, and sensitize the population to the challenges of the disabled, and provides extensive opportunities for job training and advocacy in the private sector geared towards reintegrating the disabled into society. According to CIREC, the phrase that sums up their mission is: “Comprehensive Rehabilitation with Community Participation.”

Today, CIREC as an institution covers an area of 2,000 square meters, and includes consulting rooms, gymnasiums, a hydrotherapy pool with elevator access, a systematized laboratory for the taking of molds (with CAD-CAM and Free-Scan), a laboratory for the production of prostheses and orthopedic devices, a research lab, an occupational therapy workshop, several “green” zones for recreation, a children’s park, cafeteria, temporary housing for family members, and vehicles for the transport of patients. The organization sells its prostheses to those who can afford to pay, increasing its sustainability and thereby expanding its impact. To date, the organization has served over 36,000 Colombians and is the primary supplier of artificial limbs in the nation.

Citizen Base Strategy

Utilize technology in a strategic fashion

CIREC is expert at using all available resources for problems created by the challenges of disability, including creative, low-cost solutions but also with more costly, state-of-the art machines and technology. The distinction and knowledge of when to provide and employ simple, inexpensive materials versus high-cost yet often extremely effective technology, cuts costs and allows the organization to be strategic about resource use.

CIREC uses and promotes the use of simple tools and materials to address the needs of the disabled. For example, in a workshop in conjunction with ICES (Institute Cerros del Sur), the organization provided inexpensive materials including cardboard, hard plastic, paper, and cloth, which proved useful and effective in creating a variety of tools including wheelchair inserts and a ‘seatbelt’, a lung-strengthening device, a splint, and a protective helmet for a child who falls frequently.

However, the organization also invests in extremely advanced technology to achieve its goals and best serve its constituency. CIREC is one of the only organizations in Colombia, and in fact in all of Latin America, to own and operate the system CAD-CAM, an advanced tool which allows the taking of molds and production of prosthesis and orthesis devices through the use of a combined computerized laser scanner and milling machine designed to manufacture perfect prostheses. The organization also boasts FREE SCAN DIGITAL, a mobile unit that permits the transport of CAD-CAM technology to any region of the country.

Engage in targeted, small-scale replication to increase impact

CIREC considered building more centers around the country to increase impact, but ultimately determined that this was an inefficient way of making sure their work reached the majority of people in need. Instead, the organization established “Seeds of Hope,” a program to create nodes, or affiliated centers managed by former CIREC patients in their home communities. The nodes work in conjunction with CIREC to promote social participation and job training for people with disabilities, and to accelerate and sustain their integration into society. Nodes also work to raise political consciousness about the rights of the disabled, and CIREC focuses on establishing nodes in communities that have been particularly affected by armed conflict in Colombia, including Magdalena Medio, Meta and San Vicente de Chucuri.

How It’s Working

• CIREC currently functions in 27 municipalities in Colombia

• In 2005, CIREC won the Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation Prize for Survivorship in recognition of outstanding work promoting, resilience and recovery among victims of war, conflict, civil strife and terrorism

• Nearly 10% of the CIREC’s costs are covered by revenue from sale of services

• Among others, CIREC works in association with AID (Agencia de Cooperación Americana), OIM (Organización Internacional para las Migraciones), LSN (Land Mine Survivor Network) UNICEF, and the United States Deparment of Health and Human Services

• CIREC has held 7 national workshops, 35 educational workshops, and has trained a total of 135 leaders

Lessons Learned

• Sell a specialized product. A key component of CIREC’s methodology is producing and selling high-quality, low-cost prostheses. Currently, 45% of CIREC’s budget is supplied by the sale of its products.

• Plan for the long-term. CIREC has been able to cover its fixed costs (about 30% of total costs) through an endowment set up at the start of the institution.

• Publicize success. CIREC runs a well-known award program to recognize outstanding achievements by disabled individuals, demonstrating the potential of the disabled as a capable and productive labor force to a wide audience.

• Integrate the social mission into the organization itself. Currently, 25 persons with physical disabilities work on-site at CIREC, corresponding to 32% of total employees.