• Special education
• Types of disabilities that receive attention: intellectual, physical, auditory, and visual

• Children with special needs
• 150 male and female children in two centers of attention
• An underprivileged population, especially abandoned and extremely poor children and youth with special educational needs

Location: Huancayo

Program Description:

The disabilities that affect children represent a health problem because of their impact on the quality of
life of the concerned child, the repercussion on the family, and the number of resources that society
dedicates to their attention.

The well-being of our children is one of the most important responsibilities of society. The bad economic
conditions existing in Peru such as hunger, malnutrition, unemployment, and the lack of medical assistance are the reasons for a high level of disabilities. The integration of diverse factors such as the health system, special education and, above all, the community in general, are necessary to confront this problem and find a solution.

“Disability” is considered the restriction or absence of realizing activities in a normal way affecting a human being or his or her environment. In general, it represents a temporary or permanent reduction of functional capability. A disability can be a consequence of an illness and can include a number of diverse deficiencies such as:

• Hearing damages
• Amblyopia
• Visceral and intellectual deficiencies
• Speech disorders
• Impairments of the skeleton and muscles
• Others

The volunteer program of Expand Perú is dedicated to the development of activities that will complement the services offered by the special center and increase the quality of attention each child receives. In this way the social integration of the children is improved and they can look towards a brighter future.

Objectives:

• To give the necessary attention to the children we serve

• To create a better quality of life for each child, one that complies with their essential rights of social development

• To develop habits, abilities, and skills, as well as intellectual, working, and moral capabilities that will allow them to actively integrate into society

Volunteer/Work Activities:

• Formation: To assist in each child's personal development through activities of recuperation, prevention, and early detection

• Working in particular areas: Sensory and mental deficiencies

• Health: Assist in the coordination and support of activities with the medical department
  
  • Finding diagnoses
  • Implementing activities of prevention and cure
  • Putting into practice the program of scholar alimentation and nutrition
  • Evolution of social psychology

• Social assistance and service:
  • Pursuit of cases
  • Home visits and treatments
  • Working with the parents – conversations, workshops, reunions

• Ability development: Free time activities and social integration of the children
  • Recreational sports and games
  • Arts, dances, music, singing
  • Outdoor activities
  • Workshops:
    - carpentry
    - horticulture
    - cooking

• Support of the staff:
  
  • Speech therapy

• Specialized works:
  
  • Students and professionals of special education: early intervention, psychology, physical rehabilitation, physical education, nursery, social psychology, etc.
  • Teachers of English, arts and sports
  • Educators – initial level
  • Social assistants

• Supporting works:
  
  • Diverse professionals
  • All academic degrees and special studies are helpful

Important: All volunteers receive assistance, work materials, accreditation, and certification from our organization.

Requisites:

• Passport
• Minimum age of 18 years old
• Application
• Digital Photograph

Dates: All months

Minimum Length of volunteer work: One month

Work Schedule:  At least 4 hours per day

Free time: Volunteers work Monday through Friday and have weekends free to rest, read, visit different tourist attractions in the area, go on excursions, or take one of the curses organized by Expand Peru.

Our organization does not accept payments beforehand or through the internet. Payments are made within three days after the volunteer arrives in Huancayo. Volunteers can pay in the Peruvian currency (nuevos soles), American dollars, or in Euros.