ROMP and AllPeopleBeHappy expand community-based rehabilitation services in Guatemala

We are excited to share that the Range of Motion Project (ROMP) is launching a groundbreaking initiative aimed at expanding community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services for people with amputation in Guatemala and beyond.

This project will enhance ROMP’s existing efforts to improve mobility and independence for people affected by amputation. The goal is to increase access to CBR services, benefiting those who have received prosthetic limbs in Guatemala, and develop a global Mobility Toolkit to be shared with organizations worldwide. Through this initiative, ROMP seeks to address not only the physical needs of amputees but also their mental health, economic opportunities, and social participation.

The funding will primarily go toward expanding the CBR program, providing vital resources for ROMP’s community health workers (mobilizers), and developing the Mobility Toolkit. This toolkit will include a mobile app and an electronic medical record system to improve the management of prosthetic care and rehabilitation, both locally and globally.

During the 2025-2026 period, this project will directly impact 175 people in Guatemala, with an additional 770 people benefiting indirectly. By developing the Mobility Toolkit and distributing it globally, ROMP aims to provide CBR services to thousands of individuals in the years to come. This project will not only improve mobility and mental health outcomes but also increase employment opportunities for amputees. In the long term, ROMP envisions the Mobility Toolkit becoming the global standard for amputee rehabilitation.

Operating in Guatemala presents unique challenges, including a rising incidence of amputations, limited access to healthcare in rural areas, and the lack of public prosthetic rehabilitation services. ROMP’s efforts to bridge these gaps are crucial for ensuring amputees receive the comprehensive care they need.

ROMP’s two key objectives will be accomplished from July 2025 to June 2026. This includes running two cohorts of the CBR program, developing and distributing the Mobility Toolkit, and establishing pilot projects in Ecuador’s Amazon region. ROMP is also committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the program through local fundraising and global consulting partnerships.

Success will be tracked through participant mobility, mental health, and employment outcomes, as well as the global adoption of the Mobility Toolkit. ROMP aims for the toolkit to be utilized by early-adopter organizations in parts of Africa and Asia, with a wider international rollout expected in the coming years.

ROMP, with the support of AllPeopleBeHappy, will help thousands of people with amputation regain their independence and quality of life. We look forward to making a lasting impact on the rehabilitation of amputees worldwide.

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting journey. If you would like to contribute to this cause, you can donate here.

Update: December 23rd, 2025

For individuals living with limb loss, receiving a prosthesis is only the beginning of the rehabilitation journey. Through its project, The Prosthesis Alone is Not Enough: Community-Based Rehabilitation for People with Amputation in Guatemala and Beyond, the Range of Motion Project (ROMP) is helping participants rebuild not only their mobility, but also their confidence, independence, and connection to their communities. As the organization concludes the first year of the initiative, 88 high-need participants have successfully completed the Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program, receiving comprehensive support that extends far beyond prosthetic care.

Each participant has followed a personalized pathway that includes assessments, home visits, prosthetic fabrication and fitting, physical therapy, mental health support, and ongoing follow-up care. By combining clinical services with community-based accompaniment, ROMP addresses both the physical and emotional challenges associated with limb loss. Participants receive individualized rehabilitation plans designed to improve mobility and function while also benefiting from counseling, peer support groups, and dedicated community coordinators who help ensure continuity of care throughout the recovery process.

A key factor in the program’s success has been its innovative use of technology. ROMP’s MoviliApp platform allows staff to track patient progress in real time, even in remote communities with limited internet access. The platform enables consistent follow-up, accurate data collection, and ongoing monitoring of mobility, therapy participation, and psychosocial outcomes. Its effectiveness has been so significant that the model is now being adapted in Ecuador and adopted by partner organizations, demonstrating how community-based rehabilitation can be replicated and scaled to reach more people across different regions.

The project’s impact has also been strengthened through a growing network of partnerships and volunteers. Universities across Guatemala have contributed physical therapy and psychology interns who support both rehabilitation and mental health services, while local organizations provide community spaces for outreach and follow-up visits. International prosthetists, technicians, corporate volunteer groups, and local community members have further expanded the program’s capacity, helping ROMP deliver services to individuals who might otherwise face significant barriers to care.

Looking ahead, ROMP is preparing to launch its second year of programming while expanding its reach and refining its service delivery model. Plans include increasing mobile clinic operations, strengthening community outreach, and continuing to build partnerships that make rehabilitation services more accessible to people living in remote areas. By focusing on the whole person—not just the prosthesis—ROMP is creating a model of care that empowers individuals with limb loss to regain mobility, participate fully in their communities, and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Final Update:

For many people living with amputation in Guatemala, access to a prosthetic device is only one step in a much larger journey toward independence and inclusion. Through its project, The Prosthesis Alone Is Not Enough: Community-Based Rehabilitation for People with Amputation in Guatemala and Beyond, the Range of Motion Project (ROMP) expanded access to comprehensive rehabilitation services for individuals facing significant social, economic, and geographic barriers. Over the course of the project, ROMP graduated 195 participants from its Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program—surpassing its original goal by 20 participants—and delivered services across all 22 departments of Guatemala through a combination of in-person and virtual support.

What makes ROMP’s approach unique is its commitment to treating the whole person, not just the physical condition. In addition to prosthetic fabrication, fitting, and clinical care, participants received home visits, physical and occupational therapy, psychological support, peer mentorship, and individualized rehabilitation plans. The program also incorporated prevention strategies, hygiene education, and spiritual accompaniment to address the many factors that influence long-term recovery and wellbeing. Through Noti ROMP, a growing community network of 255 current and former participants, individuals also gained access to job opportunities, motivational resources, and ongoing support designed to strengthen autonomy and social inclusion.

The impact of this comprehensive model has been significant. During the project period, ROMP completed nearly 2,000 home visits and more than 870 psychology appointments, helping participants remain engaged in rehabilitation despite transportation challenges and other barriers. Program data showed meaningful improvements in mobility, mental health, and economic participation. Average walking distance more than doubled, while workforce participation increased from 67 percent to 88 percent. Participants reported lower levels of anxiety and depression and demonstrated greater independence as they progressed through the program.

A major driver of the program’s success has been MoviliApp, ROMP’s innovative digital platform that supports case management, patient monitoring, and interdisciplinary coordination. Originally developed to strengthen rehabilitation services in Guatemala, MoviliApp has now been adapted for use in Ecuador and other regions, with additional expansion planned across Latin America. The platform’s growth demonstrates how technology can help scale effective community-based healthcare models while maintaining personalized, patient-centered support.

The project’s impact extends far beyond individual participants. ROMP strengthened partnerships with universities, hospitals, NGOs, municipalities, and community organizations to expand referral networks, improve access to services, and create new opportunities for education and economic inclusion. Volunteers, student interns, and professional mentors played critical roles in supporting rehabilitation services, mental health programming, and technological innovation. Together, these collaborations are helping build a stronger rehabilitation ecosystem throughout Guatemala and creating a model that can be replicated in communities around the world.