Centro Maya, San Juan La Laguna, March 2, 2011

Back to San Juan we went, only to find Manuel's new batteries okay, but the brushes in his motor needing new springs. This ended up being a half day,s work, as we visited I think 4 or 5 tiendas, electric shops, grocery stores et al! looking for a close resemblance to what we needed. After finding a couple of springs that would work, we then had to find someone to solder one of the brushes also. At least we discovered how to get around San Juan - actually a very nice town.

Yes, this is an actual picture of Dick's GPS. . .
the road is full of twists and turns, but also beautiful scenery.

Manuel doing algebra

In the end , it was well worth all our efforts, as we heard from Bob, an American helping at a school for the disabled , how much this chair had changed Manuel's life. He is now in 1st year Basico, does paintings with his mouth, and gets around with his chin controlled motorized wheelchair.

( I will let Pat tell about the wonderful school there )





Centro Maya is one of the best schools I have ever visited, either in Guatemala, or the US.  While a stand alone special school, the atmosphere is welcoming and inviting, and the quality of instruction marvelous.  In the single classroom, taught by a teacher who herself is only 18 yrs old, I found students actively engaged in appropriate activities, ranging from a child putting four cut out puzzle pieces in a board frame, to Manuel who was working on Algebra.  The calm and tranquility of the classroom amazed me.

Classroom with a volunteer from Holland

Infant and toddler classroom
Today learning "sweet" and "salty"

Teacher helping student on the computer



The children here not only get academic instruction, but physical and occupational therapy, as well as the services of a psychologist.  Each child's goals and activities (covering six basic domains of special education instruction) are posted on the walls of the classroom for easy reference, and the variety of types of materials and activities were impressive.

The director of the school is a Guatemalan woman, who herself is the mother of a child with disabilities.  She has a passion for this work on both a personal and professional level.  As we talked about the excellence of their teacher, she responded that she interviewed 22 candidates before the current teacher, but knew immediately that this teacher was "the one."  What I saw proved her to be right.

A little one working on fine motor skills



Competence in daily living skills is also emphasized

















The director has invited me back to work with their staff on communication systems, and to let me learn from their experience the most effective way to approach some of the issues related to special ed.  I look forward to spending time with them in May.

After visiting all these families, it struck me that we have the same kinds of parenting skills in Canada and the U.S. - SOME GOOD, AND SOME NOT SO GOOD.
I believe that we must have Jesus first in our own hearts, and then at the centre of our families


Thank you Dick and Pat for the great trip.
Dave B.