Expanding Educational Opportunities in Latin America

Perkins supports a continuum of services throughout children's lives. This includes education programs for infants and toddlers, individual learning programs for school-aged children, transition to adult-life programs for youth and support networks for families. Each year, these programs touch the lives of nearly 3,400 children in Latin America. 

Early Childhood Education

Perkins supports early childhood education programs in Latin America that identify children with multiple impairments and develop intervention programs to support their growth. 

• In Colombia, Perkins partners with Medellin to develop state-wide intervention services 
• In Argentina, two hospitals in Buenos Aires host model early intervention centers that serve hundreds of infants and train multiple sites in their local communities 
• In Argentina and Brazil, Perkins coordinates programs that provide services in rural areas.  Each of these programs lays a foundation for a child's individual education and growth 

Programs for School Aged Children

A deafblind student answers her teacher’s questions in sign language, Costa Rica

A deafblind student answers her teacher’s questions in sign language, Costa Rica Throughout Latin America, Perkins works with nearly 40 schools and education centers. These programs offer children opportunities to learn and participate in their communities—opportunities they would otherwise not have. Each program encompasses courses on developing skills, such as communication or orientation, as well as academic disciplines in schools for students without visual impairments. For example, Escuela Helen Keller in Peru incorporates this curriculum, while also providing students with holistic healing therapies, recreational outings and programs to explore their community. 

Other examples include:

• In Argentina, Perkins works with ten local schools that serve over 420 children each year.  Nearly 200 are reached through a program with the Ministry of Education. 
• In Brazil, we partner with two education centers (ADEFAV and AHISMA) in programs that serve 250 children combined. 
• In Panama, a collaborative program between Perkins and the Instituto Nacional provides educational opportunities to 230 children each year. 
• In Guatemala, Perkins supports Fundal, the only national center for children who are deafblind or have multiple disabilities. Fundal runs three programs that touch the lives of some 100 children each year. 

The above highlights are but a few education programs Perkins supports in the region. It has taken us two decades to annually impact the lives of thousands of children. Over the coming years, we foresee our partnerships reaching thousands more children who still do not have adequate or any educational opportunities. 

Transition to Adult Life

Deafblind youth hang homemade pasta to dry, Helen Keller School, Peru

Perkins works with several agencies in Latin America that support the continuing independence of youth who are blind with additional disabilities. These programs emphasize skills from completing daily chores to vocational training. In Peru, Perkins collaborates with Escuela Helen Keller on a vocational program for young adults. In 2002, the center opened a pasta factory, Ataliel, which is entirely operated by individuals who are deafblind. The program offers an income to young adults who would otherwise have a difficult time locating employment due to scarce prospects in the region for people with impairments. This opportunity amounts to an immeasurable sense of independence, accomplishment and pride.

Perkins supports other agencies with transitional programs in Costa Rica, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Learn more about our other programs in Latin America