ASOCIACIÓN DE DESARROLLO “VIDA”
COMMUNITY CENTER & SCHOOL FOR DISABLED CHILDREN
About Asociación de Desarrollo “Vida”
Asociación de Desarrollo “Vida”, known short as Vida, was founded in April of 2012. It functions as both a community center and school for disabled children through their program Syndrome de Amor (Love Syndrome). Since the Guatemalan educational system does not support children that have special needs, friends Oliver and Daniel (both in their mid twenties not from wealthy backgrounds by any means) saw the need to help these children in their community. These children come from families who are not able to or not always willing to care for them because of their disabilities. They suffer from learning disabilities, autism, muscular dystrophy, Downs’ syndrome, hearing and vision deficits and sensory integration difficulties. Yet, the philosophy at Vida is that these children have special capabilities that the volunteer staff at Vida seek out and help to improve.
The children attend class on-site in the afternoon lead by teacher, Sadie and Karla, and other volunteer teachers that help when they are able to be there. They also receive physical, occupational, and speech therapy when available.
Vida supports children that are at-risk, as well as hosting a group of break-dancing youth, playwrights, and recyclers. They are progressive and give 100% everyday to help change the mentality towards what is otherwise taboo in their community.
Asociación de Desarrollo “Vida”, known short as Vida, was founded in April of 2012. It functions as both a community center and school for disabled children through their program Syndrome de Amor (Love Syndrome). Since the Guatemalan educational system does not support children that have special needs, friends Oliver and Daniel (both in their mid twenties not from wealthy backgrounds by any means) saw the need to help these children in their community. These children come from families who are not able to or not always willing to care for them because of their disabilities. They suffer from learning disabilities, autism, muscular dystrophy, Downs’ syndrome, hearing and vision deficits and sensory integration difficulties. Yet, the philosophy at Vida is that these children have special capabilities that the volunteer staff at Vida seek out and help to improve.
The children attend class on-site in the afternoon lead by teacher, Sadie and Karla, and other volunteer teachers that help when they are able to be there. They also receive physical, occupational, and speech therapy when available.
Vida supports children that are at-risk, as well as hosting a group of break-dancing youth, playwrights, and recyclers. They are progressive and give 100% everyday to help change the mentality towards what is otherwise taboo in their community.
photo credits: Laura Hall, Maximo Nivel, Children of Vida
