Off to Mulukuku this morning, where one of our SNDs has been living for 30 years. Looking forward to seeing what a "bucket shower" is like!
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Thursday, March 7, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Nicaragua: Wednesday in Matagalpa
Busy student trip - packed with social time as most organized trips are so I definitely won't be blogging much.
Yesterday we spent the morning at the main school where kids with all kinds of disabilities begin their program here. Each kid has individual goals. For some, the goal is to learn the basic things they need to transition to a regular school. Because all the kids have behavior problems, simple things like sitting at a table with other kids are a huge emphasis. For others, they hope to move on to the more advanced vocational and therapy programs associated with the school.
The boy I was paired up with, Maguelito, has multiple disabilities including severe autism. We weren't very successful at sitting at the table for more than a few minutes, but I found that he really enjoyed flying around the playground like an airplane together, that he could get himself going on the swings without help, and that although he spent a lot of time pushing people away from him, he also liked hugs and even gave me a few kisses before the morning was done.
In the afternoon we visited the program for older girls and women with mental disabilities, where 17 young women get physical and psychiatric therapy, socialization, meds, job training and much affection so they can become independent enough to support themselves.
At the end of the day, it was great to hear all the reflections of our college students who, to a person, sincerely felt they (we) had learned more from the people we've met here so far than they from us. That's the attitude sister Rebecca began here with too - not thinking she was coming to Nicaragua to help people, but to have them show her how she could facilitate them helping themselves, and she has learned a lot from them along the way.
Today we will meet with the mother-leaders from each of the barrios of Matagalpa and have a little celebration, then tomorrow we are off to Molocucu, a 6-hour ride into the countryside, where another SND is working with the rural kids.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Yesterday we spent the morning at the main school where kids with all kinds of disabilities begin their program here. Each kid has individual goals. For some, the goal is to learn the basic things they need to transition to a regular school. Because all the kids have behavior problems, simple things like sitting at a table with other kids are a huge emphasis. For others, they hope to move on to the more advanced vocational and therapy programs associated with the school.
The boy I was paired up with, Maguelito, has multiple disabilities including severe autism. We weren't very successful at sitting at the table for more than a few minutes, but I found that he really enjoyed flying around the playground like an airplane together, that he could get himself going on the swings without help, and that although he spent a lot of time pushing people away from him, he also liked hugs and even gave me a few kisses before the morning was done.
In the afternoon we visited the program for older girls and women with mental disabilities, where 17 young women get physical and psychiatric therapy, socialization, meds, job training and much affection so they can become independent enough to support themselves.
At the end of the day, it was great to hear all the reflections of our college students who, to a person, sincerely felt they (we) had learned more from the people we've met here so far than they from us. That's the attitude sister Rebecca began here with too - not thinking she was coming to Nicaragua to help people, but to have them show her how she could facilitate them helping themselves, and she has learned a lot from them along the way.
Today we will meet with the mother-leaders from each of the barrios of Matagalpa and have a little celebration, then tomorrow we are off to Molocucu, a 6-hour ride into the countryside, where another SND is working with the rural kids.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, March 4, 2013
Nicaragua: Familias Especiales
The weeks leading up to midterm break were especially busy so I didn't make my customary post to say I was going to... (fill in the blank), but... Hooray for Nicaragua!
Traveling with a great group of students from my school this week for an alternative spring break program learning about the programs our Sisters run in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. All of them are programs for special needs kids and their families, most of whom would otherwise be trapped in their homes for lack of basic things like wheelchairs.
I say "sisters" but really it's just one woman overseeing all 16 of the initiatives that have been developed here in the past 15 years. Today we visited a shop that specializes in yogurt, cheese and granola. All fresh and organic and operated by disabled adults and their family members. Then we got an enthusiastic welcome from a large class of kids with a variety of disabilities who spend time here each day while their caretakers have a few hours to work, shop or socialize. After lunch, we took a ride out to a farm where 6-8 kids each day participate in what is probably Nicaragua's only horse therapy program. The kids are loving and friendly in their way, and I was lucky to get to do one of the therapy sessions, riding along with a 9 year old girl who can't yet sit on the horse by herself.
This week's blog posts will no doubt be short as Internet is limited and our schedule packed full each day and because i didn't pack the keyboard! But I'll post pictures if I take some and will try to convey some of the adventure that is this place if I can.
Buenos Noches All!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Traveling with a great group of students from my school this week for an alternative spring break program learning about the programs our Sisters run in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. All of them are programs for special needs kids and their families, most of whom would otherwise be trapped in their homes for lack of basic things like wheelchairs.
I say "sisters" but really it's just one woman overseeing all 16 of the initiatives that have been developed here in the past 15 years. Today we visited a shop that specializes in yogurt, cheese and granola. All fresh and organic and operated by disabled adults and their family members. Then we got an enthusiastic welcome from a large class of kids with a variety of disabilities who spend time here each day while their caretakers have a few hours to work, shop or socialize. After lunch, we took a ride out to a farm where 6-8 kids each day participate in what is probably Nicaragua's only horse therapy program. The kids are loving and friendly in their way, and I was lucky to get to do one of the therapy sessions, riding along with a 9 year old girl who can't yet sit on the horse by herself.
This week's blog posts will no doubt be short as Internet is limited and our schedule packed full each day and because i didn't pack the keyboard! But I'll post pictures if I take some and will try to convey some of the adventure that is this place if I can.
Buenos Noches All!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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