14 January 2018
Some of our one-time donations can make a world of difference in the lives of thousands of people. We completed two of these projects this week with a donation of a hydrotherapy tub for a center that treats disabled and crippled children, along with canes and braille note writers for the blind.
Projects like these are designed to promote independence and self-reliance among people that might otherwise be neglected or forgotten.
Some children born with birth defects can overcome those challenges if they get therapy during their earliest years. Rigid muscles from neurological conditions and non-functioning limbs resulting from diseases or problems caused by delivery at birth can be reduced or completely overcome if a child is treated in time.
Only three therapy centers exist in Lima that are available to the poor to provide this therapy. One of these early intervention centers, called Programa de Intervención Temprana (PRITE), asked for help.
The treatment involves physical therapy once a week in the PRITE, along with techniques they teach parents to perform at home. The therapy is often done in the water to loosen rigid muscles and joints. Unfortunately, the PRITE only had small tubs to put the children in, and they had to heat the water in a microwave oven. The tubs were never large enough and the water would get cold quickly.
The PRITE asked if we would consider helping them obtain a hydrotherapy tub and a water heater. As part of their commitment, they agreed that if we could make the donation, they would be in charge of the installation changes to their building (plumbing and electrical). Our Area Welfare Committee approved the project, and we moved forward with the purchase and donation.
During the delivery ceremony, Peruvian congressman Kenji Fujimori came to participate. (Kenji had been involved in putting the PRITE in contact with us). Kenji took turns holding kids while their parents snapped photos.
Many parents came up to us at the ceremony, thankful for this donation that will make therapy much easier. Several parents told us that they had no hope for their babies ever having a normal life before they started the therapy.
It is amazing to see the results that physical therapy can produce if started at an early age - most of those under treatment, if started early enough, had overcome significant challenges and had, in some cases, caught up with their peers.
We also completed a donation of 500 collapsible canes for the blind. A cane can make a world of difference for a blind person by allowing them the freedom to leave their home. (We held the delivery ceremony at the same time as the hydrotherapy tub at the PRITE).
This donation was made to the Confederation of Disabled Peruvians (Confederación Nacional de Personas con Discapacidad del Peru - CONFENADIP), who will supply these to other cities in Peru. We also gave 500 braille note writers to help the blind with the ability to take notes and record on paper.
We were able to make a symbolic donation of several canes and braille writers as part of the delivery ceremony. Congressman Kenji Fujimori got to participate, since he brought this project to our attention, also.
(Note that Kenji showed up wearing a BYU T-shirt. He actually graduated from Kansas State University and attended Utah State University. He is not a Mormon and did not attend BYU, but he said he wore the BYU shirt a friend had given him as a show of support.)
The canes and braille writers will make a significant difference in the lives of many poor Peruvians who cannot afford these items.
This donation is only half done - we expect to complete the donation of an additional 680 more canes and braille writers in the next month.
In all, the donation of the hydrotherapy tub, along with the canes and braille writers, will affect the lives of many in the years to come.
We have experienced three earthquakes since coming here - two have been in the range of 4.0 magnitude in the Lima area (they make you feel like your building has been hit by a truck several times). However, our third earthquake was a big one that woke us up this morning at 4:20 a.m.
Our closet doors were banging and the windows rattled. It seemed to last for a few minutes and woke us both up.
This earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.1, was centered in an area a few hundred miles from here. One person is known dead so far, many are injured, and buildings have collapsed. We felt the affects of this earthquake here in Lima due to its magnitude.
Some of our one-time donations can make a world of difference in the lives of thousands of people. We completed two of these projects this week with a donation of a hydrotherapy tub for a center that treats disabled and crippled children, along with canes and braille note writers for the blind.
Projects like these are designed to promote independence and self-reliance among people that might otherwise be neglected or forgotten.
Early Intervention Program - Therapy to Help Crippled Children
Some children born with birth defects can overcome those challenges if they get therapy during their earliest years. Rigid muscles from neurological conditions and non-functioning limbs resulting from diseases or problems caused by delivery at birth can be reduced or completely overcome if a child is treated in time.
Only three therapy centers exist in Lima that are available to the poor to provide this therapy. One of these early intervention centers, called Programa de Intervención Temprana (PRITE), asked for help.
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| Handicapped children and their mothers awaiting their weekly treatment at the PRITE. The PRITE treats 120 children per week. |
The treatment involves physical therapy once a week in the PRITE, along with techniques they teach parents to perform at home. The therapy is often done in the water to loosen rigid muscles and joints. Unfortunately, the PRITE only had small tubs to put the children in, and they had to heat the water in a microwave oven. The tubs were never large enough and the water would get cold quickly.
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| BEFORE - Water treatment was in a tub. This baby had a paralyzed arm that came as a result of her delivery at birth. |
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| BEFORE - Water was heated in a microwave. This baby was being treated for a neurological condition. |
The PRITE asked if we would consider helping them obtain a hydrotherapy tub and a water heater. As part of their commitment, they agreed that if we could make the donation, they would be in charge of the installation changes to their building (plumbing and electrical). Our Area Welfare Committee approved the project, and we moved forward with the purchase and donation.
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| New hydrotherapy tub and water heater now replaces the old tubs. Two therapists and two babies can use the equipment at the same time. |
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| The new hydrotherapy tub allows the therapist and the baby to both be in at the same time. The mother of this child told us that last year before treatment, he was completely rigid. After a year of treatment, he is now quite mobile. |
During the delivery ceremony, Peruvian congressman Kenji Fujimori came to participate. (Kenji had been involved in putting the PRITE in contact with us). Kenji took turns holding kids while their parents snapped photos.
 |
| Congressman Kenji Fujimori taking turns holding kids during the delivery ceremony while parents snapped photos. The treatment in the hydrotherapy tub continued in the background. |
Many parents came up to us at the ceremony, thankful for this donation that will make therapy much easier. Several parents told us that they had no hope for their babies ever having a normal life before they started the therapy.
It is amazing to see the results that physical therapy can produce if started at an early age - most of those under treatment, if started early enough, had overcome significant challenges and had, in some cases, caught up with their peers.
Helping the Blind - the Gift of Freedom
We also completed a donation of 500 collapsible canes for the blind. A cane can make a world of difference for a blind person by allowing them the freedom to leave their home. (We held the delivery ceremony at the same time as the hydrotherapy tub at the PRITE).
This donation was made to the Confederation of Disabled Peruvians (Confederación Nacional de Personas con Discapacidad del Peru - CONFENADIP), who will supply these to other cities in Peru. We also gave 500 braille note writers to help the blind with the ability to take notes and record on paper.
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| Julio Guzman, president of CONFENADIP, spoke about how the donation of canes and braille writers would help blind people throughout Peru by giving the freedom of movement. |
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| At the delivery ceremony - Kenji Fujimori and Moroni Torres, our Area Welfare Manager |
We were able to make a symbolic donation of several canes and braille writers as part of the delivery ceremony. Congressman Kenji Fujimori got to participate, since he brought this project to our attention, also.
 |
| Kenji Fujimori helped with passing out our donation of collapsible canes during the ceremony. |
(Note that Kenji showed up wearing a BYU T-shirt. He actually graduated from Kansas State University and attended Utah State University. He is not a Mormon and did not attend BYU, but he said he wore the BYU shirt a friend had given him as a show of support.)
The canes and braille writers will make a significant difference in the lives of many poor Peruvians who cannot afford these items.
This donation is only half done - we expect to complete the donation of an additional 680 more canes and braille writers in the next month.
In all, the donation of the hydrotherapy tub, along with the canes and braille writers, will affect the lives of many in the years to come.
 |
| Partners on these humanitarian projects - (R to L): Leonor Choquehuanca, PRITE Director; Moroni Torres, Area Welfare Manager; Congressman Kenji Fujimori; Julio Guzman, President of CONFENADIP; and us. |
Disaster of the Week - Earthquake
We have experienced three earthquakes since coming here - two have been in the range of 4.0 magnitude in the Lima area (they make you feel like your building has been hit by a truck several times). However, our third earthquake was a big one that woke us up this morning at 4:20 a.m.
Our closet doors were banging and the windows rattled. It seemed to last for a few minutes and woke us both up.
 |
| Earthquake - magnitude 7.1, epicenter south of Lima |
This earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.1, was centered in an area a few hundred miles from here. One person is known dead so far, many are injured, and buildings have collapsed. We felt the affects of this earthquake here in Lima due to its magnitude.
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| News photo of damage from the earthquake. |
Here in Peru, earthquakes are fairly common - we are on the 'ring of fire' that circles the Pacific Ocean with volcanoes and lots of earthquakes.
Locals refer to the earthquakes that shake buildings (but that don't level them) as "Temblores" or tremors, and they are frequently the topic of conversation around our office ("Did you feel that one last night?" "No, we were out driving around and missed it." "Oh, too bad!")
On the other hand, an earthquake like the one this morning that levels buildings is called a "Terremoto" and certainly gets everyone's attention. We are all aware that a really big quake could happen here at any time. We just pray we are in a safe building when it hits.
Locals refer to the earthquakes that shake buildings (but that don't level them) as "Temblores" or tremors, and they are frequently the topic of conversation around our office ("Did you feel that one last night?" "No, we were out driving around and missed it." "Oh, too bad!")
On the other hand, an earthquake like the one this morning that levels buildings is called a "Terremoto" and certainly gets everyone's attention. We are all aware that a really big quake could happen here at any time. We just pray we are in a safe building when it hits.
We haven't been called yet by the Peruvian government to help with this disaster, at least not yet. Who knows? Things may change by the time we get to our office on Monday morning. But still, we give thanks we are safe and able to move forward with the work we came here to do.
Every few week, new senior missionaries arrive and other leave as they complete their service. We bid good bye this month to the Moores who had served as the mission presidents of the Missionary Training Center (called the Centro de Capacitacion Misional in Spanish). It is always a good excuse for all of us to get together for a dinner and celebration.
Farewell to Friends
Every few week, new senior missionaries arrive and other leave as they complete their service. We bid good bye this month to the Moores who had served as the mission presidents of the Missionary Training Center (called the Centro de Capacitacion Misional in Spanish). It is always a good excuse for all of us to get together for a dinner and celebration.
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| Bidding farewell to the Moores (center of photo). Sad to see them go, but we celebrate the completion of their mission. |
That is so amazing how much physical therapy can make such a difference for these children. I know that being a mother to small children myself that I would be truly grateful to have the equipment for my children to help them get over conditions like that. So neat that every project you do, big or small in your eyes, has life lasting effects and you are changing lives! Glad you two were ok with the earthquake today! So scary!
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad you are safe. Decker thinks you are lucky to have felt 3 earthquakes and not get hurt on your mission. He always wished to feel an earthquake on his mission in California, but never did.
ReplyDeleteYikes about the Terremoto! I wish all congressmen really listened to the needs of their constituents to help as this one did! -Chelsea
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