Description

Volunteers assisting at this home as a physiotherapist will be asked to provide stimulation and encouragement to children with a variety of physical disabilities. Because there are so many children at this centre, you will work with the ones most in need of therapy.

Due to their varying levels of ability , each child at this placement needs to be provided with an individual physiotherapy program designed to meet their unique needs. This may consist of massage, therapeutic exercises, neuro-developmental therapy, mobilization, stretching and strengthening, and/or posture education. During your first week you will help assess the needs of each child that is able to participate in a therapy program, and design a short-term therapy plan. From then on you will work on a regular basis, one-to-one and in small groups with the children. Also after helping to assess the needs of the youth, you will make a plan for dividing the children individually and/or into small groups and create a weekly schedule for the therapy sessions.

A typical day at this placement may look something like this: You will arrive at 1:00 pm and after greeting the kids, you will begin a 45 minute session with an individual child or small group of youth of similar ages and abilities. You will conduct two or three sessions per day. Each youth,(that has been previously determined will benefit from physio), should have the opportunity to receive therapy from you at least twice a week. Between sessions, you will have a chance to simply play and interact with the youth, and assist the staff with daily activities such as spoon-feeding meals.

As part of the team, you may also be expected to sweep and help keep the centre tidy and organized.

Highlights

Ministerio de Mujeres y Desarrollo Social (MIMDES), meaning Ministry of Women and Social Development, is a government program of social development for vulnerable populations that suffer exclusion. This organizations works to guarantee the exercising of their rights and improving the quality of life for people living in poor and marginalized conditions. The mission of the ministry is to promote decentralization and contribute to the eradication of poverty, inequality, and exclusion. There focus is on comprehensive human development, equality, and to generate equal opportunity between men and women.

This institution was created in 1996 during the former President Alberto Fujimori's second term of presidency. Government statistics suggest households headed by women are twice as likely to live in absolute poverty, defined as a family of four surviving on USD1 a day, as opposed to households headed by men. The creation of this ministry was an attempt to address this issue and create better living conditions for women and their children.

Domestic violence against women and children is prevalent in Peru's society. Many women in Peru do not have easy access to resources such as land, education, credit and authority, consequently women are more likely to live in poverty. Rates of schooling for females is also far lower than for males and there are high rates of sexual and emotional abuse. Many children from poor areas of Peru must work in order to help their families survive. They work as street vendors, shoe shiners, and beggars, often limiting their ability to attend school. Other children must attend work with their parents or stay home alone while their parents work. MIMDES is targeting women and children in situations such as these.

MIMDES operates various programs to achieve their goals of human development and social inclusion. These include daycare programs for low-income families, orphanages, nutrition programs in schools, and violence prevention programs to promote a culture of peace in areas where domestic and street violence is prevalent. They have also established a strong presence in various locations throughout Lima and Peru, ensuring that children receive the care and nutrition that they need to develop properly, and that women are given opportunities to succeed.

Hogar Matilde Perez Palacios is currently home to over a hundred youth, ranging in age from three to twenty-four years old, all of whom have mental or physical disabilities. This busy environment welcomes help to look after the necessary requirements to care for the needs of these individuals The organization lacks sufficient patient physiotherapists to assist children with physical challenges, in their rehabilitation and physical development.

This is a fairly new establishment and they lack sufficient staff for all the necessary professional assistance that the youth need. There is not enough people to offer the children, not only help in physical rehabilitation, but also attention and positive social interaction. Without the therapy and stimulation that they need, these youth will have very few opportunities to enjoy life and reach their full potential.
The financial resources are lacking, thus not able to provide employment for sufficient staff; volunteers with love and compassion for special needs children, and also the specific skills needed for working with them, would be very much appreciated.

Qualifications

Volunteers at this placement must be trained and qualified physiotherapists. Experience working with special needs individuals is highly recommended.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Health Sciences
• Medicine
• Nursing

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3,245 for 8 weeks; USD 250 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

Successful volunteers at this placement are those who enjoy developing and delivering skillful and beneficial programs,as well as,find it rewarding to work with underprivileged children and youth.

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998