Sydney, another dedicated GOT Ministries studentTo say that our occupational therapy (OT) students are a big part of our mission is an understatement. That is why we are so intentional about who we accept into our ministry. We have been so blessed by 4 incredible OT students so far from various Universities around the US, who have given their all to our work and to the children we serve in Santa Maria de Jesus. To say that they are different when they return from Guatemala is also an understatement. These young graduate students go with many expectations and with various life views; when they return, they have matured greatly both personally and professionally. These future professionals return to the states, with a new perspective and with a holistic view of what it means to serve their community through occupational therapy. Our occupational therapy students have learned more about themselves through there partnership with GOT and service in Guatemala, so that when they do enter the professional world in the States, the service they will be providing is at a higher level. Sydney Marable has been no exception. She returned to the states in the beginning of December after 3 months of service with GOT Ministries. We are so grateful for her and her dedication to our kiddos. She served 26 children, both students from New Life School and children from the community of Santa Maria de Jesus. She provided 30 hours of direct service to the children on our caseload per week, seeing some children twice a week. In addition to these hours spent with the children, she worked many hours preparing, documenting, and planning for her visits. Our OT students work very hard and put in many hours to provide the best service that the children deserve. We are beyond grateful for their service, and our opportunity to invest in their learning and development. GOT Ministries supervises their therapy services, teaches them all aspects of our service to the community of Santa Maria de Jesus, educates on the important cultural similarities and differences, as well as invests in their personal journey while serving in a third world country. We have been so proud of the OT students who have returned after our partnership; they are making a difference in their work, and sphere of influence because of this life changing, and wonderful experience. Thank you to those who have made our partnerships possible; to those who help us to be on the ground in Guatemala truly serving and sharing the message of love and hope. "I think the biggest impact has been on how I see myself. I feel more confident in my ability to be an Occupational Therapist but also to exist as myself. I feel stronger and more able to deal with challenges on my own" -Sydney Marable University of New Mexico Served with GOT during Fall 2018
0 Comments
THEN AND NOW with GOT MINISTRIES How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1a We have served in Santa Maria de Jesus for 7 years total, and officially as GOT Ministries since 2016. Our mission is to empower and serve the children with disabilities in Guatemala. The vision creates a journey of relationship and investment. Here are two stories, from THEN to NOW, that demonstrate the progress and change that can be seen by consistently serving the same community of children and families. Rosario THEN Rosario started in therapy with no capacity to interact with others, demonstrated aggressive behaviors towards her mother, brother, and even the dogs in the streets. She rarely if ever left her home and never experienced basic play like many other children. She urinated in the therapy room 4 times during her first visit, would only play in her slobber on the ground, and screamed often as a way of communicating. NOW Rosario has made so many gains, it is hard not to cry every time I think of how far she has come!!! She responds when hearing her name, she loves playing with water, and even makes eye contact with us often!! She attends to a toy or task with us for about 5 minutes and spends time on the toilet to work on potty training!!!!!!!! She also learned “soft touch,” and we encourage her verbal communication when she makes soft noises. Eymi (Amy) THEN Eymi relied completely on others when we met her; she stayed at home and did not socialize. She was not allowed to go to school, because she couldn't walk like the other children. Eymi was born with spina bifida which caused a paralysis of some of the muscles in her legs and feet, as well as the muscles required for toileting. NOW She is 6 years old now and just graduated kindergarten! She is learning how to take care of her new donated AFOs, that will help her ankle stability when walking with her walker! Eymi also works on asking for help, taking care of her personal hygiene with her diaper management, and socializing with her peers.
NOW (2019)
Please consider sponsoring therapy for a child like Eymi, Rosario, and so many more. We need your help to make the 1200 hours of therapy possible for 2019. Each therapy visit only costs $30 to provide- Simply fill out the pledge card included with this letter indicating how many visits you would like to sponsor.
|
Categories
All
Archives
December 2019
|