Programs
Orthopedics
PAZAPA provides surgery, orthopedic devices, physical therapy, and rehabilitation for physically handicapped children at no cost to the children’s families. Operations are provided for children with club feet, knee and hip problems, cleft palate, hand deformities, etc. by French, Canadian, and American volunteer surgeons, as well as by resident Haitian surgeons at l’Hôpital Ste. Croix in Léogâne, the St. Vincent Center for the Handicapped in Port-au-Prince, and the St. Michel Hospital in Jacmel.
American surgeons now provide a computer-linked network for scheduling and planning clinics and surgery, and providing follow-up treatment to ensure the best possible care for PAZAPA’s children.
Undoubtedly, the vast majority of children with non-life threatening problems (and even many with life-threatening conditions) would not have the chance for corrective surgery in a country where all health costs are borne by the families. PAZAPA, through screening, special clinics, and complete coverage of surgical and other associated costs, has ensured that every child seen at the center or at one of the rural outreach clinics is eligible for treatment. To date, more than 700 children with orthopedic problems have been treated.
Health Care and Education
PAZAPA offers guidance to families to encourage ongoing effective home care. PAZAPA’s staff nurse educates families about hygiene, family planning, and immunizations, with emphasis on eliminating or reducing the endemic problems of malnutrition, parasitic infections, and diseases caused by unsanitary conditions.
The staff nurse also oversees pre- and post-operative care, first aid treatment, medications, vaccinations, and treatment of epilepsy, arthritis, and infectious bone disease as prescribed by volunteer and local physicians.
Special Education
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The PAZAPA school in Jacmel provides education and therapy each year
for approximately 70 children with developmental/mental handicaps
from infancy to late teens. Without PAZAPA, these children would not
have the opportunity to go to school at all. Children attending the PAZAPA school receive hot meals and nutritional supplements when necessary; those with severe and multiple handicaps are seen in their homes. The school provides three levels of education. Early intervention (0-3 years) focuses on working with mothers and other family members to provide and to encourage the family to use stimulation, therapy, and socialization techniques in the child’s development. Preschool (4-10 years) works on language and social skills as well as physical disabilities. The senior class helps those children who can handle a regular primary school program maximize their outside educational opportunities and helps those with severe disabilities to acquire living skills. PAZAPA also subsidizes boarding school education for children with visual and motor impairment at Ecole St. Vincent in Port-au-Prince, and for deaf children at Bon Repos School in Port-au-Prince. All hearing impaired children are tested by professional audiologists either at Bon Repos or at PAZAPA; those who can benefit from it are provided with custom-fitted hearing aids free of charge. In 2000, PAZAPA added a varied vocational training program for senior, mentally handicapped children and graduates of Bon Repos. "Mainstreaming" is the best ant often the only choice for handicapped children, particularly in rural districts. Supported by advocates front the community, PAZAPA has influenced government and private schools to accept children with disabilities. |
in the classroom 
summer camp |
Outreach and Community-Based Rehabilitation
Outreach Co-ordinator,
at parents meeting
PAZAPA extends its programs into the surrounding rural villages, where staff members and volunteers hold screening clinics to identify children with handicaps and help the families and community leaders design their own programs utilizing resources available locally.
PAZAPA arranges and funds surgical care and follow-up for physically disabled children in these communities, encourages local schools to accept handicapped children into the classroom, and facilitates the establishment of community centers where handicapped children and their families can meet and share solutions.
PAZAPA also facilitates meetings in Jacmel for the exchange of ideas and experiences among parents and has financed weeklong seminars for representative mothers at a Port-au-Prince training center. These mothers are taught simple child development techniques which they use to assist families in their rural areas.
The popular PAZAPA-sponsored radio program, "Ti Koze PAZAPA" is an hour-long call-in program dedicated to subjects of interest to those in rural areas, particularly (though not exclusively) dealing with questions about the handicapped.
Family Support Programs
The staff at PAZAPA firmly believes that health is related to economic status. Therefore, PAZAPA has facilitated small independent commercial ventures through "Ti Commerce" (small business) loans for parents of its children. Currently, a fruit drying project established by a Peace Corps volunteer provides jobs for PAZAPA client families. Previous adult programs have included literacy classes and seminars on women’s and children’s rights, as well as courses on sewing and cooking.
Peace Corps volunteer Maggie Partilla dried mango project |
cooking
class |