Project Home Banner

Amneyo: Centro de niños especiales - Weblog

Marc Nyte’s experience in Amenyo (Peru)

I'd like to share Marc's experience in Mancora with you. Following his words.

I first volunteered at the - centro de niños especiales in Máncora in 2008. I had cycled across the Andes and enjoyed all the typical tourist experiences in Perú and wanted to give something back. I came across this centre in a Google search for volunteer projects that involved physiotherapy. I had just started a physiotherapy degree back in the UK.
During those 5 weeks in 2008, I worked alongside, María who had set up the centre, and with the teachers and other volunteers. I provided and assisted in classroom activities for the children as well as games, teaching yoga, giving massage and assisting with physiotherapy. I was so inspired by the dedication of all involved that I decided to return after finishing my degree. I wanted to give something back as I felt I had learnt so much from all on the project. I gained extra experience and confidence necessary to complete my course back in the UK successfully.
So having graduated with a physiotherapy degree, I returned to Máncora for the summer of 2011. The centre had been replaced with a new building comprising of 4 classrooms, a therapy room, gym, huge kitchen area as well as toilets bathrooms and offices. In addition it had plenty of outside space where the children can take part in planting and the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. This was all a far cry from the old centre with its one classroom, loo and small therapy space. The new centre is truly amazing and a credit to the hard work of María and her team.
I volunteered my skills and knowledge at the centre daily. I worked with babies and children with cerebral palsy and other physical and mental conditions. I gave advice to the centre’s physiotherapist on childhood milestones, appropriate treatment plans, objective markers and short and long term goals. I also talked with the families of the children, advising on, exercises, seating and postural support. Where children required general physical training, I provided appropriate exercises in the form of circuit training, Pilates or yoga.
Along with the centre’s physiotherapist, visits to the next town, Cancas, some 25km away would be made. Here we would visit patients both young and old who could not afford or make the journey to the centre in Máncora.
I attended a few of the centre’s meetings which were organised to update parents on future activities, general help required for running the centre and rally support. It was awe-inspiring watching María as she chaired them, sought the support and help of the mothers’ in maintaining and improving the centre, both domestically and in its ability to sustain itself and continue to provide a remarkable service to the community.
Everybody at the centre, including the families of those I worked with were very grateful for all the help I gave. However, I can’t help thinking that I have gained as much, if not more from the experience. They have all taught me so much. Leaving was the most difficult part of volunteering with the children, María, her family and all the teachers and staff at the centre. For this reason, this is one project I will definitely be returning to.
Although this project has made a huge difference to the lives of children living with a disability and continues to grow, it still requires the help of willing and skilled volunteers. There is still much work to be done and this centre welcomes any help you may be able to offer. They are keen to learn from the knowledge that we have gained in our given fields. If you have a desire to help in anyway, be it assisting in the classroom as an assistant or bringing skills from professions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and other medical professions, your input will be extremely valuable and gratefully received.
If you have any questions about this project, feel free to contact me. I will be very happy to answer your questions.

Regards,

Marc Nyte
http://www.marcnyte.com

Posted: Dec 11 11 by Tatiana | Comment On This Post [0]