What International
Therapy Outreach Teams has been doing in 2012
Haiti School Programs
Two classrooms for children with disabilities were started
in two different church schools in Haiti in February. iTOT took wheelchairs, walkers, toys and a
team which included therapists and a teacher to provide the training, equipment
and funds to start these classrooms. The
disbelief on the parent’s faces told us what these families usually experience
but we watched those faces turn to bright smiles as we worked with their
children. How overwhelming to see these
kids with disabilities and their families included in the school and feeling
the acceptance of the church and God’s love towards them. iTOT will be in Haiti often, over forty churches have
signed up to be part of this program! Photos: Samuel and Richardo (top left) laughing and
playing together. Sajina was all smiles
getting fit for a wheelchair by Greg and Erin (top right).
Guatemala Family
Retreat with Joni and Friends
It was a fun week in Guatemala at the Joni and Friends
Family Retreat in April where I was able to spend time with each family to give
therapy suggestions for their child with special needs and train four
Guatemalan physical therapy students. In
the picture left to right: Gabriella, me, Sylvia, Jennifer and Sandra.
I had the opportunity to speak with Rene (photo on right)
during the retreat. Rene is 20 years old
and was recently paralyzed in a car accident.
When I met with him and his mother, she told me that now he is useless
because he can’t walk anymore. She
wasn’t trying to be hurtful; she was expressing the feeling that many people
around the world have about a person with a disability. I was able to tell them that Rene can do things
that he did before the accident and that God has a special plan for Rene’s life. At the end of the retreat, Rene shared with
the group that he now understood God was in control of his life and has a plan
for him. He has hope for his future and
is learning to trust God. I feel so
privileged to have been a small part of Rene’s life this year.
Ghana Workshop
and Wheels for the World Trip
iTOT held its first workshop on wheelchair seating and
repair. The workshop was held in Ghana, West Africa
for seventeen participants with the help of a very experienced physical
therapist named Jan and three skilled mechanics. The workshop was followed by a Joni and Friends
Wheels for the World trip in the village
of Aiyinasi in the western region of Ghana. We worked hard for two and a half days to
hand fit 76 free wheelchairs and share the good news of Christ’s free gift of
salvation.
Upcoming Trips
Haiti in July
and September to start more classrooms for kids with disabilities
Romania Family
Retreat with Joni and Friends end of August for kids with autism
Possible trips
are being discussed for Ghana
in October and El Salvador
in November
How you can help
Use the search engine
Goodsearch.com and identify International
Therapy Outreach Teams as the non-profit that you support. Each search raises money for iTOT.
Donate to help fund a school classroom in Haiti. Make
checks payable to
iTOT and send to 231 Adrian Court Lansdale,
PA 19446.
Pray for iTOT and our
partner ministries
Wheelchair, car seat
or toy collections
Organizing a fundraiser
Using iTOT for a
youth group or student project