It´s over already?

Hi all,

My time at the casa has officially ended. My last day was Sunday, July 6th and I departed for Cuzco on Monday, July 7th. I didn´t anticipate leaving so early, however there was an international strike, or ´paro´ and it included flight cancellations and blocking of the roads. It lasted from Tuesday and Wednesday and things were back to ´normal´on Thursday.

I am not really sure why the strike took place. Partly because of the governenmental control, raise in food prices, and possible entry of Ecuador and the United States? To be honest, I don´t know, but it was very interesting and I took some great photos. There wasn´t too much anti-american sentiment, so I felt quite safe.

I feel sad to have left the casa. I feel like there is so much left to do, but I know that I alone cannot do everything. Things didn´t exactly pan out as anticipated, but the experience was just that... an experience. There were highs (the love of the children and señoritas) and lows (feeling culturally outcasted by europeans), but in retrospect, I loved every single bit of it. I leave having learned new things about myself, other cultures, and how to deal with other people. More importantly, it has driven me to want to further help and support those who are struggling within our own country, because they need the help as well.

Oh, and the video is online! Go to: www.americatv.com.pe and click on CUARTO PODER on the bottom right hand corner. When the new page opens, on the bottom, you will see something about Los Gorriones and a picture of a man (Gil) with children on his lap! Click on it! I hope you enjoy!

I am off to hike Machu Pichu this next week with Rick and my brother, Lee. It should be amazing! I will post more pictures upon my return.

Love to all of you. I will be back on the 23rd of July :) Be safe!

Lauren

Lots and lots of leña

Hi everyone!

The video from Cuarto Poder still isn´t on the internet, but I will let you know when it is. The casa´s website got over 400 hits from when it aired (Sunday at 8p.) until Monday morning. That is crazy! From what we´ve heard from Gil, the director, people have been contacting him internationally. He told the volunteers that many Peruvian citizens were moved by the fact that us volunteers have come from all over the world to help here and so few of the citizens here are willing to help their own people. Hopefully it will instill some movitivation in many of them to help some of their own people and organizations! Furthermore, while wondering through the streets here, people often ask where we´re from and why we´re here. When we mention that we are volunteers at Casa Hogar Los Gorriones, the reaction is so warm and heart felt, especially now that the program was aired on t.v. It seems like they are more accepting of us being here in their country and culture.

The ultimate goal of the program on television was to raise money to build a new casa for the children. The casa they are occupying now is being rented out. It works, but is run down and many of the children share twin size beds. I recently worked on translating a presentation on the construction plans and costs (just under $1 million USD total) from Spanish into English so Gil can explain and share where the money is needed to English speaking individuals. Some of you have expressed interest in helping out in some way and if you are interested in donating, let me know and I will add the information on the next blog. By no means am I trying to guilt you into donating, so please do not think that! Onlyif you are truly interested.

So, you are probably wondering, what is leña? Its Spanish for wood. Last night we came home from working on the translations to a truckload of wood. I used to complain to no end when my Dad would make me (okay, more so my brothers!) move the 100 logs in a wheel barrow about 100 yards. We are moving about 500 times as much and twice as far without and wheelbarrows! We all stood in an assembly line fashion and passed the wood along. French, Belgian, English, American, Peruvian, 7 years old to about 30 years old. Althoug it may seem like an overbearing task, it meant a lot to me and I sort of feel closer to everyone because of it. I would even go as far to say as I enjoyed it, but Dad don´t get any ideas because I will not drive home to help you do it. (Okay, so maybe I will for some dinner?) I didn´t get any photos of it, but one of the volunteers did and I am hoping to snag some of them before I leave.

As far as the volunteer work itself goes, its been great. With the little time I have, I am getting done what I can. The most recent road block (here its more like sheep in the road or vicious dogs biting my ankles) I´ve come across is that of the casa´s doctor. As I previously mentioned, many of the lupes have difficulty eating and swallowing, specifically Yacner. I made a plan for the señoritas and future volunteers to better feed him and the others with the little resources they have . Part of the plan includes no liquids right now, including mate, a fruit based tea that they drink after lunch. What Yacner really needs is to have a video swallow study done (an x-ray of him eating to see if he is or isn´t aspirating, aka things falling down the wrong tube) because he demonstrates so many symptoms of possible aspiration, especially after drinking liquids. The boy has had chronic lung congestion and infections for a very, very long time and for all you speech paths, he demonstrates EVERY other red flag of possible aspiration (gurgly voice/respiration after eating, finicky eating behaviors, coughing while eating from time to time, lack of a gag reflex.) I am in the process of finding out whether Ayacucho has access to the machines needed for this test, but dds are not on our side. He does seem to handle pureed foods relatively well and he is able to handle nectar to honey thick juices (aka Peru´s idea of a smoothie with milk and no ice) pretty well. If only we had access to this test! Or at the least, thickener for the mate. I apologize for all the speech pathology terms!

Anyways, the doctor who treats the chidren in the casa came the other day and told the señoritas that they should continue to give him mate and lots of liquids because he is such a sick child (once again for you speech paths, it figures!) I am trying to get ahold of the doctor to explain where I am coming from. I´d be nervous if it were an American doctor, but I am even more nervous to do it in another country in another country. In my heart, I know I can´t just leave it unsaid. I wouldn´t be doing justice to the little guy. The least I can do is try...

Well, we are off to move the leña from the front of the house to the back where it will be stored. Hi ho, hi ho, its off to work we go.....

Oh, and here are some pictures. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=yp8utat.6oh7ad71&x=0&y=-qp57ya&localeid=en_US

Love you all!
Lauren

Cuarto Poder Video!

Hi all!

Many of you have been checking the Peruvian website to view the informational video about the casa and I thank you for that. However, it will not be posted until this WEDNESDAY or THURSDAY, July 2nd or 3rd. It was televised nationally last evening and will not be posted until then. If possible, I will try to attach it to the blog when it is posted. I apologize for any confusion.

I am busy getting to work on my book to facilitate better eating and oral motor skills in the casa. I am aware that oral motor exercises might sound like a dirty term, but its not. They are actually used to improve weak articulators or muscles in the mouth and face for speech production. These muscles sometimes need strengthening, or need to have better coordination or range of motion. Improving these muscles can help a child make speech sounds better as well as help with the eating/feeding/swallowing problems some children have difficulty with (i.e. the lupes.)

I am quite concerned about one of the children specifically. He would benefit from a formal video swallow study due to the constant congestion in his lungs and very weak muscle strength and coordination, and lack of a gag reflex. Unfortunately, this town does not have the access to this sort of an x-ray, so I am doing what I can.

I will write an update soon along with some more pictures!

Much Love!
Lauren

Reaching out...

Hi all!

Sorry it has been a while since I´ve written. Time is starting to fly by now that I am a bit more comfortable with the routine and casa. It is hard to believe I have been here for over 2 weeks and I have less than 2 weeks remaining!

Yesterday was a very successful day for me. I had the opportunity to meet with Joana, the coordinator of the casa who is in charge of the señoritas and children. In retrospect, I should have met with her when I first arrived, but things were quite chaotic and I was under the impression that the temporary volunteer coordinator had already spoken with Joana. As you konw, I came here with the intention of helping children with communicaiton needs. Instead, I was helping the children with all sorts of daily activities, which is fine, but I felt like I wasn´t able to contribute in my area of specialization. Well, things have changed.

Turns out that Joana thought I was just here to volunteer, and she did not that I am a speech therapist and I that I want to work with individuals with communication and swallowing disorders. Talk about an overall misunderstanding and lack of communication! The emails I exchanged prior to coming were with this woman Sophie, who is in France, and she never mentioned or forwarded my emails to Joana or Gil. She just mentioned that I was coming! Well, at least I´ve got 2 weeks left to hopefully help a little.

I am working on a better feeding plan for one of the children with cerebal palsy, Yacner. They were previously feeding him by laying flat on his back because when sitting completely upright he spits much of the food out. He isn´t able to close his mouth at rest, nor with the assistance of a hand. He also has congestion and fluid and the lungs. The risk of aspiration while lying down is huge for anyone and the risk is even greater for a child who has little muscle tone and control and slow reflexes! Yacner seems to be benefiting from the new position I´ve tried. Not only is it less work for him, but less work for those in the casa as well.

I went to speech therapy with Sheyla today. To be honest, I was shocked they even had therapy of any sort, but they do offer occupational, speech and physical. They only began offering it within the last couple of years. The speech therapist, Neida, was a very sweet lady. She informed me that there is no professional training per say to do speech therapy here. She has taken some classes in Lima and done some research, but lacks the formal education as well as materials. She was very excited that I came and I am going to be in contact with her when I leave. I intend on sending her some Spanish materials to use with the children.

So, I came back from therapy and there was a Peruvian t.v. station filming at the house. They interviewed many of the workers and a few volunteers and filmed me working with one of the children. It will be posted on the web on Wednesday or Thursday. Go to the following website:

http://www.americatv.com.pe/ and on the bottom of the screen, click on CUARTO PODER

Please excuse my disheveled appearance! I was very nervous to be filmed speaking Spanish. Thankfully most of you don´t speak Spanish so you´ll have no ida what I said, but you´ll at least be able to see me on Peruvian t.v. and the children I am working with!

I hope all is well! I will keep you posted on any updates!

Love,
Lauren

Las Señoritas

Hi everyone,

This week has gone by relatively quickly. I worked quite a bit with the lupes, but with the pequeños and grandes as well. Its quite pleasing because some of the children are beginning to remember who I am, even by name. Disciplining them continues to be difficult due to the fluctuation of volunteers coming in and out of the casa. They do not abide by one plan of discipline and as a result a lack of respect from the children has become more evident.

This trip obviously leaves me with a lot of time to ponder (sometimes too much!) and analyze the culture, or at least what I have become to know of it. The children at the casa are all sponsored by individual around the world. These fees cover food, private schooling, and clothes for the children. In comparison to most Peruvian children, they are quite fortunate to have these things. I see many children in the filthy street, trying to entertain themselves as their mother or father sells fruits or garlic. The children at the casa have the necessities as well as access to an education but they lack the love of a mother and father. The children that I see in the street lack all of the things the children at the casa have, but they have a mother or father. Which situation is better? I don´t think either is... they both lack something, however one simply cannot replace the love provided by a mother or father. On the other hand, if your mother or father lacks the economic resources and education, and as a result the child suffers the reprocussions and they are stuck in the cyclical effects of poverty.

It can be frustrating at times to see how much these children take for granted. It is even more frustrating when I reflect upon myself and how much I have taken for granted because of the opportunities that have been provided to me. I can not make them realize what they have, because in their eyes they lack so much: their maternal mother and father. However all I can do is pray that one day they will do something with their lives and not repeat what their parents did to them. I hope that I can provide them with some much needed love and affection and teach them a little of the world around them. And let me tell you, when they come crawl on your lap and ask you to share something special with them, words cannot begin to express how it makes me feel.

The señoritas that work with the children are some of the most loving, dedicated people I have ever met in my life. They love unconditionally and most of them have a constant smile upon their faces. I try and reciprocate the same for them because working with them is quite a pleasure. When I spoke of our Father´s Day ice cream exipidition, I was unaware of how big of a deal it was for some of the señoritas. One in particular, has never had a packaged ice cream cone or bar. I was occupied helping feed one of the students his and this señorita insisted on sharing her very first ice cream bar with me, someone who has eaten more than her fair share. She is probably in her mid 50´s. Can you imagine that? I would love to treat these ladies all to a special day because it is much deserved. Granted, they do get paid to do what they are doing, but a price can not be put on what they deserve!

Maybe this will inspire some of you to ponder the situation here, or your life wherever you are. I can only speak on my behalf, but despite the many curve balls thrown my way and unfortunate things that can happen to us, but I know I have it very, very good.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. ;) I am off to teach some English! I will let you know how that goes!

With Love,
Lauren

Pictures!

Here are some pictures:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=yp8utat.6u9qe1o5&x=0&y=9wjum1&localeid=en_US

Hope you enjoy!

Love,
Lauren

Feliz Dia del Papa!

Hola a todos,

Well, I experienced my first and probably only Peruvian Father´s Day yesterday. It was my duty to work with los grandes from 2 til 8 p.m. Although they are called the grandes, they aren´t exactly such, ranging from ages 6 to 18. This is such a diverse group of children with some being slightly mentally challenged, others defiant, and a few as sweet as can be.

The Father´s day celebration was to begin at 2, when my shift started, but as most hispanic countries can be characterized, things never really start on time. Gil, the founder of the casa whom the children refer to as ´papa Gil´ sat in a chair in the center of the patio and the volunteers in addition to the children sat in a circle around him. The children memorized some songs and others recited poems. It was so special despite the intermittent disciplining of a few young boys. After the children presented their gifts to Gil, they played a game of musical chairs and we all enjoyed some torta (cake) and the adults got to enjoy some wine. I haven´t had any wine in a while, and let me tell you... it was absolutely delicious.

Unbeknownst to me, or the children, we were told there was a ´suprise´and we were to meet at the entrance in 15 minutes with our shoes on. Gil had surprised the children with a special gift of a walk to the park near the Mirador and ice cream for everyone. The children were absoluely extatic. It was my duty to carry Cristopher, who you can see with me in the picture. He is the youngest in la casa. His biography says that his mother gave birth to him in a discoteca. Sounds like a rumor you´d hear in grade school, but it is true. He is the sweetest thing in the whole world.

I would have to say I really enjoyed my first experience working with the older children. I bonded with a few, but just when you think you are okay, the misbehave and hit/kick you as you try to discipline them. I understand why because they have had some terrible experiences in the few years they´ve been on this earth, but the Senoritas in the casa do not discipline them properly or follow through with it. It can be frustrating at times. One girl that I met that is already so special to me is Siliana. She is 11 and her parents are both in jail. She is extremely intelligent and has a burning desire to learn English, so we talk often. She aided me with info about some of the children, their routine they are to follow, and she taught me some new Peruvian vocabulary words. I don´t think I´d have survived without her!

All in all, my experience with the grandes was wonderful. It was so nice having actual conversations with children instead of feeding the lupes or holding them while they have seizures. I am not going to lie, there was a lot of mouthing off in there, as you´d imagine, but the conversations outweighed all the naughty talk by far.

On a side note, a strange thing happened to me yesterday.... I was enjoying some popcorn at the plaza mayor when a lady came up to me and asked if I´d take a picture with her baby. They do not see many ´gringas´here in Ayacucho and they are so excited when they do that they ask us to take pictures with their children. I don´t think I´ll ever get used to that... or the fact that they call me Barbie. I resemble the complete opposite of a Barbie doll! It makes me laugh out loud every time.

I hope you are all doing well! I am in the process of uploading some picture, but it may take a while. I will likely add them next time. They don´t exactly have high speed internet here.

I´m off to do my daily walks around el centro and be stared at. Hopefully I won´t have to pose in any pictures today. ;)

Take care! Ciao!

Meeting the Lupes

My volunteer work has begun here at the casa. I have begun with the lupes, in other words those who are severly handicapped and typically smile and enjoy noise. They are called Lupes because the first child to come to the house who was severly handicapped was named Guadalupe and to this day, they are los lupes. Of the six, four do not talk and likely never will.

I have been assigned specifically to work with Sheyla when I am with the lupes, a 4 year old who has difficulty walking and limited language output. She is able to understand much more than she is able to express and one is able to understand. She reecently had many of her baby teeth pulled due to extensive decay and this impacts how she is unerstood even more. But she is extremely sweet and throughly enjoys the vocabulary cards I have brought for her.

As for the rest of the lupes, I assist with feedings, changing of diapers, singing songs, and administering the nebulizer. It´s quite funny because my voice is far from that of an angel, but one of the children just loves it and always moves her feet and claps her hands. The senoritas who work in the casa think its hilarious. I have become a pro at changing cloth diapers, but it is probably my least favorite thing to do. Disposable diapers are a great, great thing.

I brought some special spoons to assist with feeding and they have come in handy. The children are not able to close their lips and some are not even able to move their tongue more than a centimeter or two. This has aided them in the amount of food they consume and the amount of time it takes. I am very glad I was able to help.

The schedule for volunteering changes daily. Shifts are typically 6-1, 7-1, 12-7, 12-8 or 1-7. I prefer the 7-1 shift so I can have my afternoons free to climb down the hills to go to el centro, but I don´t make the schedule.

Tomorrow I will be with the ´grandes´who are all the children who go to al ´collegio´(school.) I have heard they do not take discipline well and can be quite manipulative, so we shall see. I have been nominated to teach English to the children ages 4-8, which I have never done before. Lets hope they can at least pay attention for 15 minutes...

I forgot my camera chord to upoload pictures, so hopefully next time I will be able to do so.

With love,
Lauren

Getting here in one piece....

I finally arrived here safely! There were many bumps in the road, but I got here in one piece. My adventure started in Chicago where I sat on a plane next to a pediatric dentist from South Bend, Indiana. Quite ironic considering the fact that my family breeds dentists and working with children. He, along with about 30 members of his parish, were heading to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to do mission work with GO ministries. There were a lot of young kids going as well, so it was so fulfilling to hear how excited they were about going.

The next flight, from Miami to Lima, started out warily. An announcement was made, ´´we need to pull all the bags off the plane because one belongs to a passenger who did not get on the flight.´´ An hour later, the person decdided to show up. I guess the world really does revolve around them! I was seated next to a woman, Dawn, in her mid 40´s who was heading to Cuzco, Peru for a yoga retreat. We spent much of the flight exchanging family information, and common interests. She explained to me that the flight she was supposed to be on from LA to Miami got delayed so she caught another and she was doubtful her bag made it with her. I told her of my previous baggage disaster when I traveled through Miami to Costa Rica (it was Easter and I ended up having to go rafting in my underwear.)

After a 5 hour flight we landed in Lima and trudged to the baggage claim. We patiently waited as excited patrons grabbed their bags.... but hers never came... and mine either! I must have jinxed us. Turns out over 15 people on the flight didn´t get their bags. It was utter havoc with many Peruvians screaming, ´´cabrona´´ and other mala palabras (bad words) I need not mention. It took so long to fill out the claims for lost baggage that we didn´t get done until 12:30 a.m. At that point, it wasn´t worth it to me to head back to a hostal in down town Lima and get back to the airport at 3:30 a.m. for a flight to Ayacucho, so I decided to just sleep in the airport. Much to my dismay, there were about a dozen other young back packers who had the same idea! Not only that, but it was clean and all the stores remained open 24/7.

Ironically, the flight from Lima to Ayacucho was delayed and therefore, I was able to stick around the airport while the flight from Miami came in to see if my bag magically made it on. I was cutting it close with time, when finally my bag comes off the conveyor belt. I weaved in and out of the luggage carts to the customs area, as I had to fill out yet another customs form (it was the third I had to fill out.) When I went to push the magic button which decides whether your bag gets searched or not, a red light blinked. I couldn´t believe it. What could possibly be next?

They called us to board the flight to Ayacucho at 6:30 a.m. I go outside and see this little puddle jumper with propellers. Yeah, thats right... those things you hear about that birds fly into and they the plane crashes. Or better yet, one of the planes you hear about that crashes into the mountains and the survivors eat the deceasedin order to survive. (If you don´t know what I´m talking about, google the movie Alive.) It was a plane with 12 rows and one seat on each side. It was my worst nightmare. I would have given anything to have had 6 beers before climbing aboard. Instead I put in some ear plugs and prayed continuously until we landed.... Thankfully, I did in one piece upon which a little man named Tio Julio brought me safely to the Casa.

I arrived at the Casa at about 8:00 a.m. to meet one of the volunteer coordinators and some of the volunteers. They are Belgian, French, German and English. They all speak Spanish for the most part, but all of them speak French better, so I find myself sitting around having no idea what is going on. I´ve yet to really get to know the children because I don´t start working with them until tomorrow, however one little boy sticks out in my mind, Fermin. He is 8 years old but is the size of a 3 year old, literally. He was found in the jungle living in a tree by himself eating his own feces. He is very sweet, though, and adores affection. The rest I´ve seen in passing just say, ´´¿quien eres?´´ or ´´who are you?´´ Its pretty funny... they think I am HUGE.

I hope all is well.... I will write more as I begin my volunteer work at the Casa....

WIth Love,
Lauren

I'm off to Peru....

Hello everyone,



For those of you who don't know, I am heading to Ayacucho, Peru on June 10th for a 5 week volunteer commitment at the orphanage, Casa Hogar Los Gorriones. This orphanage was founded by a French couple, Gil and Chantal, and their son, Aaron. The purpose of the orphanage is to take in special needs children who are either abandoned or their parents are no longer able to take care of them. Many of the children have various disabilities and disorders, some formally diagnosed and others not so much. They include Cerebral Palsy, Selective Mutism, Down's Syndrome, and overall Emotional Disorders. (For more info see: http://www.casahogarlosgorriones.org/english/) Regardless of the diagnoses, these children are in need of help.



So why am I going you ask? I intend on providing my services as a Speech and Language Pathologist, facilitating communication and helping the children with feeding difficulties. These children have little to nothing... no family, poor education, and little formal therapy. In other words, they aren't being provided with the opportunity to live to their true potential. Although I, along with many other kindividuals who work in the world of education, help people of all ages every day, it is fresh and inspiring to help others or train and educate others to help in a country where citizens aren't granted with all the resources our country provides.



I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nervous about going seeing as though the contact I've had with the volunteer coordinator has been limited. Tragically, the founder,Chantal, passed away this April of cancer and I would imagine things are a bit hectic and the individuals there are still mourning their loss. Regardless, I am hoping I may lend a helping hand in daily activities and specifically in my domians: communication and feeding.



I plan on writing in this blog from time to time to share my experiences, insight gained, and to help others become aware of the social, economical and physical states of a place less fortunate than ours. I want to thank in advance those that have helped me prepare for this journey including: Rick, Mom, Dad, brothers, fellow speech paths in Cicero, dear friends and all else.

May my travels to Lima and Ayacucho go safely. Til' then....