The Ann Sullivan Center of Peru: independence, productivity and happiness for children with different abilities

There is a short story by the French author Isabelle Carrier that tells the story of Lorenzo, a little boy who has a very special characteristic: he must always drag a saucepan using a rope. Because of this, on many occasions he has to make twice the effort to carry out certain activities, unlike other children his age. Even, sometimes, this kitchenware makes it difficult for him to get stuck everywhere, creating challenges in life that, thanks to the help of some kind people, he learns to overcome little by little. The saucepan is still there, but it’s more discreet and it doesn’t get stuck anywhere anymore. But above all, Lorenzo remains the same.

Lorenzo’s story is a fictitious metaphor that does not escape reality. Well, in the same way as him, we find true cases like that of Sandro, Ronald and Juan Carlos, three young people who did not allow autism to prevent them from creating a significant change in their lives, being driven by the training received at the Ann Sullivan Center del Peru (CASP), an institution that educates people with different abilities and trains their families for 43 years.

And it is that, with the existence of a single person who has the will to help someone, a difference is already being made. In 1979, Dr. Liliana Mayo Ortega started this project with only eight students in the garage of her house, located in the district of La Punta. Her greatest motivation was the absence of institutions in Peru that provide services to this population. Today, the Ann Sullivan Center in Peru serves more than 400 families in a building in the district of San Miguel, built with the contribution of donations from national and international organizations.

The stories of students like Sandro, Ronald and Juan Carlos took a 180 degree turn when they entered the CASP, because from the tender age of 3 and 5 years, they carried out hard teamwork hand in hand with their families and the center’s professionals. . “Sandro, Ronald and Juan Carlos have shown us that they are people who function very well in any environment and aspect of their lives, they can share with anyone in a social situation and enjoy the moment like all of us”says the doctor.

These three young people currently work and are the main breadwinner in their homes; showing that it is possible for people with special abilities to be independent, productive and happy if they have the empathy of their environment. All this thanks to the team of highly trained and experienced professionals; who, to keep up with best practices and hone their skills, participate in continuous training of 280 hours a year.

However, nothing would be feasible without the support of donations, since more than 60% of the families served at the center need a scholarship due to their economic situation. For this reason, the CASP has a Support Committee, which works hard to finance these funds through events and donation campaigns. In this way, people like Ronald, Sandro and Juan Carlos have the opportunity to receive an education that focuses on highlighting their abilities, beyond their disabilities.