Wednesday, January 13, 2016

2016 Starts Strong

                      Cadaniño Classes and School 2016  



We have been blessed with an extraordinary expanse of our educational and therpeutic programs at the start of this year.  For months we have been trying to find a new setting to love, teach and encourage our children and God has opened doors in ways that we can hardly believe. Not only do we have the new five classroom facility, but the government has decided to send the hot lunch everyday as well as  the teachers and occupational therapists to work all day with the kids.   This is so far ahead of schedule that we are thrilled  and feeling blessed.

  For the past few years we have wanted to help the orphanage home ABI in two major ways: The first is to divide the population of children from the young adults and the second is to split the days between residencial and academic. There are currently 62 residents at ABI, but only 28 are actually children. Almost all residents are at the lowest level of intellectual cognition. The true  children need to be segregated from the adults for obvious safety reasons and also for quality of life issues. We identified the need for residence and and academic division a few years ago also. We originally thought that we would create some satellite residences for some of the most independent residents. We found a series of logistical, legal and importantly medical impediments to securing nearby hosing.  The transition to school based daycare became the obvious choice.

   Starting in March of 2015 we started looking for nearby buildings to rent for the children.  It turned out to be more complicated than anticipated.  One of the most important criteria was to locate a facility within walking distance.  Driving in Guatemala City is a time consuming and very expensive proposition. Additionally, the idea of developing a community outreach where we work and play is of paramount importance.  Finally, in mid December we took possession of the new space. It was a mess and it needed a lot of work. Tim Martiny and some other friends helped us get it functional and attractive in record time. On Monday January 4th we started classes and play therapy in the new space. On Monday, January 11th, we were joined by the teachers and occupational therapists from ABI started in the new space. The administration at the center recognized that the children at Anexo Cadanino represents half of their residential population. As mentioned before, ABI is also providing the same daily lunch that they offer the kids in the center. The thinking was that it is better for the kids to not walk back to the center twice daily and they can assure the nutritional regimens are adhered to. Several of the children have difficult and complicated eating issues.

  Our first activity where it was easy to take happy photos was today: January 15, 2016.  We were celebrating Francisco T's birthday.  We have posted information about him in the past. Quite a story of triumph emerging from man's broken wickedness.



































k

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers