Peruvian Autism Professional trains MU staff

Dr. Mapy Chavez has spent the past 20 years dedicating her life to working with children with Autism. Mapy is Peruvian but received her higher education in the United States finishing with a PhD from Columbia University in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Education. She has now returned to Peru and opened an early intervention center for children with Autism in Lima, Alcanzando.

Why I am so excited about this? Well, there is an Autism and Behavior specialist in our back yard, well, an hour flight away, who can help me train our staff. Our reputation for Education for Autism is growing rapidly and I need help to train teachers on quality standards of education and behavior principals.

Mapy and I have been talking about this arrangement for over a year and finally made it happen! April 29 and 30 Mapy spent 2 intensive days working within the classrooms and training staff on the theory of principals in the afternoons.

It was an amazing experience, very intense and now we have a lot of work to do! I am very grateful for this partnership and we will be exploring ways to fund further extensive training in the future.

-Celeste Marion, Co-Founder/Executive Director
Manos Unidas

MU in Lima

Roxanna, Celeste, Angelica, Pilar, Rosalid

For the first time ever, Manos Unidas had the privilege of sending 4 Manos Unidas teachers to the capital city of Lima, Peru the weekend of May 2-6 to attend an international conference on Autism and Communication based in the principals of the TEACCH system, sponsored by EITA (Equipo de Investigacion y Tratamiento para Autismo)

I, Celeste Marion, MU co-founder and Executive Director, accompanied the teachers, meeting with the group daily after the conference to reflect and discuss information presented at the conference. 

Manos Unidas has gained a strong reputation for quality education for children with Autism, this year almost half of our school population are children with Autism. It was very important to me to give the teachers (all autism program teachers) the experience to learn outside of their environment and return to the school with new expertise. 

The team will be presenting the information from the conference in the week to come in order to share their knowledge with all MU staff.

What a Success!

THE MATCHING CAMPAIGN WAS A SUCCESS!

The Children of Peru Foundation offered a Grant of $10,000 to Manos Unidas for the second year in a row under the condition that we had to raise the same amount of money in order to be granted AND they would match ONLY what we raised. So the challenge was on from March 1 - April 15, 2013 and with the support of 67 donors we raised: $12,255! The Ch of Peru Foundation will be granting the same amount.

I hope to meet many of you in person and say hi to our loyal supporters in the fall as I visit Seattle and New York once again for fundraising purposes. 

Thank you again to all who supported us in this 2013 campaign! (these names will only be published temporarily)

The March for International Autism Awareness Day

International autism awareness day is April 2. Our walk here in Cusco, Peru to celebrate the event was a huge success! We had over 150 parents and students walk along with over 50 teachers, support staff and circus performers! 

Walkers filled the large street, Avenida del Sol, carrying balloons, flyers, and signs with information about the importance of the day and characteristics of autism. Circus performers lead the walk while juggling, playing the drums, and performing gymnastics. Many tourists stopped to watch and take pictures of the multitude. The main purpose of the walk was to inform the public of the definition of autism and to highlight resources to work with the condition to maximize education of the children. 

Autism is a disorder that involves impaired social interaction and decreased communication skills. Individuals with autism often act out restricted or repetitive behavior. There are some symptoms listed below that can indicate the presence of autism. 

Warning Signs of Autism:
 · Difficulty following directions 
· Hyperactive or uncooperative behavior
 · Poor eye contact 
· Repeated actions occur or the child gets stuck on using one toy 
· Talks continually about the same topic 
· Lack of interest in other children 
· Inappropriate laughter 
· Strange movements 

This information along with flyers providing resources for proper education and other behavior strategies were passed out to hundreds of onlookers in Cusco. Thank you to everyone who participated! Also, thank you to all of those who give your support to Manos Unidas. Great things are taking place to help our children in Cusco.

The Best Week Ever

March 11, 213, we initiated our First week of School for 2013. Kids were running around like crazy, parents were in and out, new kids were left screaming, everybody was transitioning after 2 months of freedom. BUT, IT WAS THE BEST WEEK EVER! Here is why:

For the first time in the history of Manos Unidas AND the history of Cusco, we initiated our Inclusive Education Program. See BLOG below.

This year we have DOUBLED our population of students with Autism now serving 17 students in 4 primary school classrooms.  Our reputation for quality education has spread and more children who’s parents previously refused the idea of their child in a “special” school have shown trust in our program resulting in a growing waiting list.

Of course during the BEST WEEK EVER we simultaneously launched our spring matching campaign sponsored by the Children of Peru Foundation! All donations made before March 31 will be matched $1 for $1 up to $10,000. We have currently raised $4,000 and have one more week to meet our goal so consider an annual donation today and pass on our great achievements to your friends. Read more and DONATE HERE

Thank you to our donors and supporters for helping us achieve so much in this community! 

MU student Matsue reciting a prayer for the first day of school

Launch of Inclusive Education Program

For the first time in the history of Manos Unidas AND the history of Cusco, we initiated our Inclusive Education Program. MU currently has 3 classrooms with 1 teacher and 4 students operating WITHIN a public school classroom in 3 different schools. Thank you to the Alma Children’s Education Foundation we were able to launch this project this year! Read more about this program here.

Georgetown University Fellows Dedicate 3 days to MU

Brittné, Donna, Sasha, Ayesha and Saaliha, winners of the Georgetown Patrick Healy Fellowship, had the chance to choose anywhere in the world to go during spring break and any organization to dedicate 24 hours of service. They chose Peru and they chose us. How cool is that? These seniors at Georgetown have spunk, character and fascinating lives. I enjoyed spending time with them March 6-8, one week prior to our first day of school. The gals sanded and varnished ALL of the wood furniture in our school (25 desks, chairs and more) and made our garden beautiful. The girls were accompanied by Josh Compton, a young English man who participated in a similar work mission with his English Scout group in 2009 and was back around to lend a hand to Manos Unidas. Thank you ALL for your work and best of luck to all of you in our schooling, masters programs, world experiences and adventures!

Saludos from Mexico! No, we have not moved Manos Unidas to Mexico, I have just been taking a well deserved break before jumping back into the trenches of 2013. Most of the staff has been resting as well during our summer break (Late Dec- Late Feb) before starting the new school year in March. 

March 4 is the big day! - The first day of our 5th school year! We are springing into a wonderful new year with ALL of the same staff, trained and prepared for another year of adventure but, MANY new students. I will write more as we begin the year. 

SPRING MATCHING CAMPAIGN
GREAT NEWS! The Children of Peru Foundation has agreed to host a matching campaign for the second consecutive year! Starting March 1, simultaneous with our new school year, we will begin the great online match. All donations to Manos Unidas between March 1 and March 31 up to $10,000 will be matched $ for $ by the Children of Peru Foundation. All donations will be tax deductible. This Spring Match will be filled with lots of great new stories about our kids, teachers and parents, the real lives of people being changed by our program so stay tuned! 

SPONSOR A STUDENT 
Manos Unidas is looking for committed partners to sponsor specific students this year, March-December. Would you like to sponsor a student for only $30 a month? You will receive 3 updates a year, handmade cards, photos and a special video of the student you are supporting. My goal is to have at least 10 sponsors this year, do you want to be one of them ? Donate $30 here to start your 2013 sponsorship 

VOLUNTEER 
Are you a teacher? A Physical Therapist? I bet you dream of coming to work with us! Well, come on down! Now seeking applications for our 2013 volunteer program. Pass on the word to friends, students, colleagues in fields related to special education and take the challenge to apply your skills in a completely different environment. Read more about the program or ask for an application here 

It is great to be in contact with everyone again, I have had a nice relaxing break and now I am full of energy, ready to take on 2013 with perseverance and charisma. 

Sincerely, 


Celeste Marion
Co-Founder/Executive Director
Manos Unidas Peru
  

 December 28, 2012

In this beautiful beginning of a new era (not the end of the world) I am reflecting today on my life in Peru. With all it's challenges, I write to tell you I am overcome with thanks. Here are a few examples . . .

I had tears streaming down my face as I read the news about the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting last week. I imagined something like that happening to my kids or teachers and felt great suffering for the families and community. In the light of that event, I am thankful for the  lives of the special children in my life, our community and for the 17 new families we welcomed to Manos Unidas this year.

I was tormented when one of our 16 year old students come to school with a black eye in November, his mother losing her patients and when I saw our 21 year old mom bringing her 5 year old on her back in a blanket, sobbing because her boyfriend hit her.  But, I am thankful we have a support group for vulnerable moms where woman can shed tears over a cup of coffee and find their strength.

 “Those kids should be locked indoors and not seen in public” – a real comment from a school neighbor. We face this kind of discrimination daily but I am thankful this is the first year the neighborhood association has granted us access to the beautiful public playground in front of the school (with a chain linked fence around it) where our students have PE classes, recess and special family events.

Most schools are run by an entire team. It has been just Mercedes and I for the last 3 years. On the verge of breakdown and exhaustion, I am thankful for Rufminia Rojas, our new academic coordinator, another bold leader who has now made our leadership team look more like a tricycle than a bicycle making it very difficult to fall, supporting each other where best needed. I am also thankful for the 11 new courageous professionals who joined our team this year. Now we have an army of tricycles!

I often collapse with anxiety because I am still the only person responsible for raising that 50% of funding not covered by student tuition and I have 21 staff member’s wages depending on me. I am still $3,769 short to pay my staff on January 2. However, I am thankful we have 2 grants coming in starting in February (yeah!) and very thankful for the 132 donors this year, a fundraising event and a foundation grant raising $55,269.

I hope we may touch the lives of many more children and communities as we grow.

I am living my passion. It was not the dream I had for my life 8 years ago, but I have surrendered and accepted it and I wake up full of joy and love. I send this joy and love to you reading this, knowing that you too wish this upon yourself, your loved ones and all of mankind.
 
May we all bring in 2013 with grace and thankfulness for the gifts the world has given to us and continue this endless fight for peace and justice for the 52 kids at Manos Unidas - and for all of humanity.

Please join me in these last days of 2012, make a donation be it $20 or $2,000 to help me finish the year. Tax Deductible option available.

By donating, you will be joining us in creating a new generation of empowered and educated children and a more just society in which they live.

To our donors this year and past years, a huge THANK YOU. Our achievements would have been impossible without you.

With Peace,

Celeste
Co-Founder/Executive Director
Manos Unidas Peru
U.S. (425) 770-0362
www.manosunidasperu.net

Navidad!

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

The kids at Manos Unidas had a great Navidad Celebration this year thanks to Fertur Travel Peru and, our teachers, parents and the community that threw them a fabulous party! Rick Vecchio and Siduith Ferrer graciously donated the Christmas gifts for all our students for the the third year in a row bringing smiles to many faces. Hot chocolate was made, sweets and cakes and of course clowns and endless dancing finished out the school year. 

Once again  Million Thanks to Rick and Siduith and of course our dedicated team of 20 professionals who work so hard daily to improve the lives of our students, their families and the community.