Hello tonight from Anini! Today was a short but busy day for us. There is currently a conference happening with all the diplomats from the America’s in Antigua (where we are staying). Thus getting out of the city was an adventure. Additionally, due to downtown Guatemala City traffic we took a long (2hour)detour around the city via the mountain countryside where we were able to take in the Guatemalan countryside. Once at Anini the students and therapist split up one-on-one to tackle the day. Myself, Megan, and student Paula fixed wheelchairs. There were three girls that we fixed footrest, seatbelts, chest straps, and brakes for at Anini. The students and the other therapists worked with the children who had sensory and behavioral issues. They worked on visual, tactile and oral stimulation, and fine motor skills. Additionally, the team tackled safe transfers for the care takers for the children. Overall, it was a short but successful day at Anini!

After Anini we were then able to visit Steve’s orphanage . At Amor del Nino we were able to play with the little kiddos and babies. Then after that we went to a local OT University to tour their classrooms and sit through short blurbs of their classes. Then after that…yeah we were busy…we had a few of the therapy students/faculty over to our hotel for dinner. At dinner we were able to talk one-on-one with the therapy students about their program, profession, and general daily life. Overall it was a busy and educational day! GO OT, black beans, and sleep!

Hasta Manana!

Megan Federle (OTR/L) and Emily Riepenhoff (OTS)