In july 2007 our son Yannick was born. Yannick has Down Syndrome, and so pretty quickly we found out that there's hardly any knowledge about Down Syndrome here in Celendín. Parents often feel ashamed and prefer to hide their child. The society doesn't accept handicapped people. Sometimes it still happens that children don't get out of the house and are held like animals.
Wij would like to improve that situation. We want the parents to get better information and bring them together to share experiences. And of course we want them to teach a way to help the children devellop themselves. Starting with young children, but hopefully in the future we can focus on older children as well. And it would be great if we can achieve that at least some of the children can go to a normal school for some days a week.
To realize our plans, we need money. To collect money we like to offer (new or better) services to the locals, for a low price. For example we started to offer english lessons, taught by volunteers. The money goes straight to the project.
Do you like to help us?
We definately need your help! Volunteers to teach english, or to prepare the material that they can use to teach. Or maybe other lessons... Experience is great, but not necesary, just like knowledge of spanish. And we like you to stay at least a month.
And of course we need help to teach the children and their parents. In that case knowledge of spanish is a bit more important, but it depends a lot on what you would like to do. Of course we would really love it if you have experience in the field, or if you are a doctor or a physiotherapist for example.
For now we don't have the money yet to realize this part, but in the future we hope to send volunteers into the Celendín-province to find parents outside the city and give them the information they need as well. Or at least to visit the medics out there. Of course, to do this job, you have to be able to speak spanish.
Last changes: 11-02-08© Q'espe design © Fotos Susan van der Wielen