Volunteers provide much-needed support and assistance to children and young adults at various childcare facilities in Cusco. One such facility is a school for mentally disabled and deaf children and young adults aged from 3 to 25 years.
Due to the varying ages and levels of disability there are five sections where the young people receive education which includes a deaf school, kindergarten, primary school, practical training, and a division for students with multiple complex behaviors which includes children and youth with severe mental disabilities, often accompanied by complex and difficult behavioral issues. In addition to these classes the school also has a speech therapist, physiotherapist and psychologist employed.
Each class has an average 10 to 15 children, and is taught by one teacher. In the classes, children with different levels of ability are taught together, which makes the teacher's job even more difficult. The complex behaviors classes are smaller and more focused on teaching practical skills. The practical training is for the older students and gives them training in carpentry, sewing, crafts and baking, skills they will take with them when they finish school.
These projects are severely understaffed and underfunded, which is why they are in urgent need of volunteers. For volunteers who truly want to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children, this program serves to protect and care for those who need it most.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide essential childcare to vulnerable children of Cusco – Peru
- Improve the future prospects of disabled children in Peru
- Give impoverished children quality care, compassion and a sense of hope
- Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both locals and international volunteers alike
