Story
Challenging uncertainty: two mothers paving the way for inclusion in Argentina
Transitions can be challenging for families of students with disabilities. In Guatraché, Argentina, two mothers turned uncertainty into action with Perkins’ support. They created an inclusive space offering workshops opening new opportunities for all. Read their inspiring story and see how they’re shaping a more inclusive future.
Transitions always bring anxiety, especially for people with disabilities and their families. The lack of opportunities and resources can make the future seem uncertain. However, in Guatraché, a small town in La Pampa, Argentina, two mothers decided to turn uncertainty into action.
Nora Verónica Nielsen and Mabel Segovia, mothers of Rocío and Martina, students at Colegio Secundario Olga Cossettini—one of the schools participating in the Perkins Model Programs project in Argentina—founded the “Centro Familias Sin Barreras Guatraché” in 2024. This community space, developed with Perkins’ support, was created to offer inclusive workshops for people with and without disabilities, with the dream of unlocking opportunities for youth.
Unlocking new opportunities
Family Coordinators Flavia Chandía and Sebastián Mastropiero visited Guatraché, Argentina, as part of their work with families in schools where Perkins works through its Model Programs Approach, in partnership with the local government.
During their visit, they met Nora and Mabel, who were experiencing deep uncertainty at the time. They felt that the transition opportunities for their daughters’ adult lives were closing. Initially, their emotions were a mix of frustration and resistance, but something transformative happened during that meeting: they managed to channel that energy into a constructive vision.
The first step was helping them identify what they needed to ensure that their teenage daughters, Rocío and Martina, who are diagnosed with intellectual disabilities could move forward. Nora and Mabel realized they didn’t have to wait for an external solution—they could create opportunities themselves. It wasn’t just about the lack of workshops; it was about broadening their perspective, exploring alternatives, and relying on their own capabilities.
From an idea to reality: a community in action
At the beginning of this journey, Nora and Mabel faced challenges. They were not teachers or therapists, but they were determined to do more.
“We needed a push, and Perkins motivated us to turn this idea into reality.”
Nora and Mabel
The community quickly responded with solidarity. Thanks to media coverage on local television, the project gained support, and many people joined to help. Today, the center offers art and cooking workshops, and in 2025, it will expand its activities to include gardening and sewing classes. From the start, they had a clear goal, since they knew true inclusion only happens when the entire community participates.
“We want those without disabilities to step into our world, get to know us, and understand that with the right support, there are no barriers that can stop us.”
Nora and Mabel
The impact has been remarkable. Currently, twenty-five people attend the workshops, and that number is expected to grow. The Municipality of Guatraché provided a space for the cooking workshop, and the Agricultural and Livestock Cooperative donated land for the gardening workshop. Additionally, the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) will provide training to strengthen the project.
Building new perspectives
The Perkins Regional Family meeting organized in Mendoza in 2024 opened new perspectives for Nora and Mabel. “We realized how many opportunities we actually have,” they say. Inspired by an inclusive café they saw at the event, they now dream of replicating the idea in Guatraché, creating employment opportunities for young people with disabilities.
To sustain the project, they organize raffles and community fundraisers, and they encourage parents to get involved. “When families join in, everything becomes easier,” they assure. The participation of the community not only strengthens the center but also shifts perceptions about disability, promoting a more inclusive society.
A model for transformation
The impact of this center goes far beyond the walls of its workshops. Nora and Mabel are building a model of autonomy, inclusion, and empowerment that could be replicated elsewhere. “We want the community to see what we do, and for our kids to be able to sell their products to earn their own income,” they explain.
The meetings between the Perkins team and the families go beyond providing practical tools; they build confidence and reinforce the belief that change is possible. They guide families through the process of transforming “I can’t” into real opportunities, proving that, step by step, it is possible to open new doors for their children with disabilities and their entire community.
When there is will and support, there are no invincible barriers. Thanks to Nora, Mabel, each of the families involved, and the work of Perkins in La Pampa, inclusion is not just an ideal—it is a living, growing reality.
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