Three New Disability Classrooms in Haiti

     During the last week of September, three new classrooms for children with disabilities were started in three different churches in Haiti.  These churches have started a program that will be an outreach to families and children dealing with disabilities in their communities in a culture that often rejects them.  In Haiti, someone with a disability is seen as cursed instead of a precious child of God.  These pastors are reaching out to show God's love to the most neglected in their communities.

                                              Meet the New Churches

     United Penticostal Church in Cite Soele, the poorest area of Port-au-Prince.  This church started with 27 children showing up for school on the first day (some of those children will attend programs in other areas when we have more programs available). 

                                     There are often crowds watching from the community.

                                           Janet, the teacher, starting with her new class.

             Roderson is enjoying his meal and maybe Mike's too.  Our goal is to be able to provide schooling, food, medical care, and therapy equipment along with a supportive church family.

                                         Singing is one of our favorite activities at school!


     Eden Baptist Church is in Silo Port-au-Prince.  Their church was rebuilt by Calvary Church of Souderton in May of this year.  Now they have a classroom for children with disabilities too.

Our teacher Lynne starts at each new class teaching the teacher. Here she is working with Rene.

                                                         Lugina is such a cutie!

                    John and our translator Jon Adams make adjustments to Woomydline's new chair.


     Church of the Benidiction is in Delmas 32.  It is a small church with a big heart.

                                     Margaret the teacher gets started with some songs.

                                          Sara the physical therapist working with Emily.

                                         Sherry looks like she is enjoying the attention!

                                             Brutis isn't sure about this school thing yet.

                    Linda and Genese (our teacher/trainer from our first program) reading together.


     It costs $100 a month to support each classroom.  This includes the teachers pay and a small amount for some supplies.  If you are interested in donating to the classroom fund or adopting a classroom at $25, $50 or $100 a month, contact iTOT at LTTLWEID@gmail.com.

Adopt a Classroom in Haiti

Children with disabilities and their families are often neglected or rejected in a culture that sees them as a curse rather than as a precious gift from God. A classroom for children with disabilities provides each church with an outreach to at least 25 children and their families and changes attitudes towards disability within their communities.

A program costs $100 a month to maintain. With that money the church will pay a Haitian teacher and provide small supplies for the children. Consider adopting or sharing the adoption of one of these church classrooms.

Churches

Evangelical Church of Emmanuel is in Cite Soleil, the poorest area of Port-au-Prince. This classroom was started in February 2012 and has 25 children attending the program.  The teachers name is Genese and she is helping us to train new teachers.

Hope Christian Church is a small wood structure with tarps for walls where 25 children attend school weekly. The school has been open since Feb. 2012.  The teacher is Melrose.

Evangelical Church of God in Christ's classroom was started in July 2012 and added 18 students with disabilities to their school of over 300 children the first week. The teacher is Demerci.

Church of God of the New Jerusulem started in July 2012 in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince. The pastor would like to see the program grow to the point where two classrooms are necessary. The teacher's name is Enoch.

Praise Church is a 10x30 concrete building in Cite Soleil that had 15 students on its opening day in July 2012. The teacher is Danielle.

Contact iTOT at LTTLWEID@gmail.com to sponsor a classroom.

iTOT Summer Newsletter

     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

Contact me at LTTLWEID@gmail.com if you would like to get involved with:

Wheelchair, car seat or toy collections

Organizing a fundraiser

Using iTOT for a youth group or student project

Wheelchair Seating Workshop in Ghana

    The Wheelchair Workshop has 17 Ghanaian students including biomechanics, a physiotherapist and a team from the church. They are all very eager to learn how to properly fit a wheelchair for disabled adults and children. We spend a day doing classroom training and followed that with some hands-on work with patients.

                             Here I am teaching the different types of wheelchairs.

             Ken is showing these students how to make adjustments to the chair.

          The students learned to make cushions out of plywood, foam and vinyl.

            They also learned how to cut down a walker to make a cane when needed.

     This team is very proud of their first completed wheelchair.  Mary is 14 years old and has never had a wheelchair before today.  Within an hour she learned how to self propel and make turns on her own.
     Tomorrow and Friday the students will continue to hand fit wheelchairs for disabled clients and practice their new skills.

Wheelchair Workshop in Chimaltenango Guatemala

I was able to spend the day visiting the Bethel Ministries Wheelchair Workshop.

   What an amazing place! The wheelchairs that are donated and shipped from the states are refurbished here.  Some of the chairs are completely redone including new vinyl, seats, backs, laterals, headrests or whatever they might need.

They employ locals with and without disabilities and provide wheelchairs and other equipment for people all over the country of Guatemala.

Ruby, the mechanic for specialized chairs, took me through the entire process of cutting down and rebuilding a wheelchair to fit a child.  Here I am lending a hand (and hopefully not getting in the way)!

      Thanks Chris, Donna, Lizeth, Carlos, Ruby and all of the staff for taking the time to show me what you do at the workshop.

Guatemala Family Retreat April 2012

      It's been an amazing weekend at the Joni and Friends Guatemala Family Retreat. We have 15 families enjoying their time at the beautiful El Faro resort center. The kids have participated in singing, watched clowns, played games, did crafts, swam and had a talent show. The parents were able to spend time talking and even had date night away from the kids tonight. The weekend centered around how special each family member is to God as they learned how they are His workmanship.

    See the empty chairs on the dock?  All of the kids are in the water having fun.  I joined them after I took this picture.

        Look how hard Darwin is working on his craft project.  He is one detirmined little boy!

     I was able to work with 4 Guatemalian physical therapy students.  We met with each family individually to give therapy suggestions or encouragement.  In this picture, we are meeting with Katerin's family.  She is such a sweet girl with the biggest smile.

              Such a great weekend!  I know that each family was touched in a special way.