In December of 2018, I volunteered to work at a shelter for children with disabilities in Cusco, Peru. The kids I worked with ranged in age from 4 to 22 years old.  Over the 2-weeks I learned that despite their disabilities and the organization’s limited funding, these children and young adults are some of the happiest and most loving people I’ve ever met. Every day I was greeted with the brightest smiles from kids whose daily struggles are hard to comprehend, and 7-year old Lucia would run into my arms and would refuse to be put down. My days consisted of feeding and doing physical therapy on the individuals who were less able, teaching hand-writing and coordination, and playing and caring for all of the residents. One of my favorite moments was on my last day; I was preparing to feed Maria, who suffers from cerebral palsy, when another volunteer stepped in to help, yet Maria refused to be fed by him. As she whined and moved her head from side-to-side the volunteer eventually gave up. Giving it a try, I walked over with her food, and Maria immediately lit up. We laughed together as I fed her with ease. Leaving her for the last time, I couldn't help but be brought to tears. 

During my 2-week stay, I noticed that several of the kids are in desperate need of new equipment.  Wheelchairs are in significant need, as most wheelchairs that are in use are old, in disrepair, and no longer fit the kids who use them. Custom chairs for children with cerebral palsy are about 2,800 soles ($833), but the exact price depends on the specifications needed for each child.  My goal is to provide at least 5 new chairs for the organization. This would have a major impact on the quality of life and comfort of these kids, as many of them are confined to their wheelchair for their entire lives. The full list of items the kids currently need is as follows:
-Neurological chairs
-Flexible knee orthotics - 600 soles ($180)
-Alignment splint - 700 soles ($210 )
-Leg brace - 350 soles ($105)
-Arm brace - 170 soles ($51)
-OTP (therapeutic feet orthotic) - 120 soles ($36)

The price estimates were given to me by staff members at the project, but, again, the final price depends on a child’s specifications and needs.

Please consider making a donation to help the organization (name isn’t included for privacy reasons) purchase new wheelchairs and equipment for the children they lovingly serve and care for. Any amount would help and would be greatly appreciated. All receipts for purchases along with pictures of the kids with their new equipment will be sent to those who’ve donated. Thank you in advance, and please message me with any questions!
 
Lucia:

Maria:

Head physical therapist, Christ: