Physical Therapist (Guatemala)

  Guatemala

San Andres

Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: January 2009

Description: The main tasks of the physiotherapist are improving the posture, maintaining the flexibility and muscle tone, making and applying flexible splints and instructing the personnel working with our special needs children.

As our children come from many varied backgrounds, their needs vary greatly. We have under our care children with mental and physical disabilities, those who have suffered from polio, those who are blind and/or deaf and children who have had limbs amputated. Also, sometimes we have serious patients who are either sent by the doctor or who come on their own, mostly after an accident.

The oldest homes (Mexico and Honduras) have fully equipped physical therapy rooms. Thanks to the commitment of several prior colleagues, there are big therapy balls, bars for walking, swings and various other therapy tools to be used. While the facilities and equipment might not be as complete in the other homes, the needs still exist with the children. Creativity and resourcefulness are essential skills for physiotherapists working in any of our homes.

The physiotherapist is often called upon to treat big and small aches and hurts. From a sprained finger, to bony ankles to a post bone fracture treatment to rib contusions, there are always children in need of attention. We provide the children with flexible bandages, mobilize stiff joints and provide care for the best possible rehabilitation and prevention of new injuries. Prevention is often the primary goal of the physiotherapists. In some homes, extensive exams have been performed on the children from an orthopedic point of view in order to diagnose possible weaknesses at a young age and start the treatment as early as possible.

The youngest children of our NPH family also receive their treatment. As a result of former severe malnutrition or AIDS, many of our small children are developmentally delayed. Their physical progress is assessed and exercises prescribed for their caregivers to improve the motor-sensory development.

Highlights: In 1996, the Guatemalan government gave permission to NPH to establish a home for abandoned children, and the orphanage Hogar San Bernardo was founded. Since then our family has continued to grow, and by now 340 children have found a new home with NPH Guatemala.

In 1997, thanks to generous donations we were able to buy new property for our home. After budget shortages delayed the construction several times, in August 2003 the basic buildings were finally completed and we were able to move into our new home. The new children's home, named Casa San Andres is situated 1500 meters above sea level in Guatemala's highlands, about an hour from Guatemala City.

Apart from the boarding houses for the children, the kitchen and the big dining hall there is also a new library and a computer room. Three smaller staff houses have just been finished, creating more space in the children's houses. Also complete is the first building for the new workshops, in which the older children are going to be trained in vocational skills. Further buildings are currently under construction. The new clinic is constantly growing and construction will hopefully be completed next year. In addition to serving the needs of the NPH children and staff, it will also provide medical assistance for people living in the surrounding communities. This recent considerable progress would not have been possible without the great support of a group of Canadian volunteers, which provide us not only with money but also with help constructing new buildings.

Qualifications:
* Licensed Physical Therapist
* Experience working with children.
* Comfortable working in another culture.
* High levels of patience and flexibility.

Friends of the Orphans International Volunteers must be 21, and we prefer that they speak Spanish and/or Creole. Volunteers serve for at least a year in one of the 9 NPH homes. NPH offers room and board, plus a monthly stipend (US$50-$100, depending on the home), and access to health care. Volunteers are responsible for paying for their travel to/from the country, medical insurance and language school fees (if necessary).

Successful volunteers are cooperative, flexible and extremely patient. They have strong work ethics and are able to work with people from many different cultures.

Minimum Education: Diploma/Certification

Cost in US$: 0.00

Salary / Pay: Volunteers are paid a stipend that ranges from US $50- $100.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The most effective volunteers come to NPH with a positive life-loving attitude, a strong work ethic, flexibility, realism and a sense of humor. Typically, volunteers may arrive with the expectation that living conditions are more primitive than they are. However, they are often not aware of how hard they are expected to work. We also seek candidates whose main motive is to help the children and be models. NPH volunteers are not rebellious to rational authority, disrespectful or insensitive to the cultures where we work and are guests. Affluent Europeans and North Americans can afford to be rebels, with long hair, tattoos and pierced body parts. In Latin America, this kind of self presentation can ruin chances for a job. Please remember, we accept volunteers only if we are convinced that they will be good for the children. We are not judging them as people, only as models for children who need to be prepared for their lives beyond NPH. We have numerous openings for long-term volunteers throughout the year. We are sometimes able to accommodate volunteer groups such as school and church or youth organizations for short-term volunteering as well. See our Volunteer Requirements, Volunteer Opportunities, or proceed directly to our Volunteer Application. If you are interested in helping NPH in your local community, please contact your nearest local fundraising office to find out how you can become involved. There are always positions available for translators, special event staff and office support. Working in your local office is a great way to get to know NPH better.

Age Range: 21+

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Guatemala Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume

Friends of the Orphans's Mission Statement: Friends of the Orphans is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide funds and awareness for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH)- Spanish for Our Little Brothers and Sisters. NPH serves orphaned and abandoned children in 9 countries in Latin America: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Peru, Bolivia, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. NPH's mission is to provide shelter, food, clothing, healthcare and education in a family environment based on unconditional love. A worldwide community of donors, staff and volunteers enable NPH to help the children become caring and productive citizens in their countries.

Year Founded: 1954