Today we visited the local CAM school and met with the director of the afternoon session, Maguel, and presented the instructor of the blind students, Lupita, with a special basketball and football that have bells inside of them for the students to hear as well as four new walking canes. These items are provided by the SAIL group in support of the CAM school.
Santiago was very excited to have a basketball that he could hear (and therefore use!)
A young student receives a white cane that he will begin to use.
After presenting these items to the students and their instructor, we spoke with the director (Miguel) and the therapist (Pepe) to discuss other needs for the school. At our request all instructors were asked to prepare a list of their needs and a description of the uses and benefits for each item requested. We were presented with a wonderful list of needs that ranged from shelves and storage to specific items such as a handicap-ready swing and an obstacle course for training blind students to use their canes. We are in the process of reviewing these requests with priority given to those that provide the greatest benefit directly to the students. Many of these requests will become projects for our February Mission Trip.