Yesterday morning we paid a visit to the main base of Los Pipitos in Managua. This centre is where every child must go to be diagnosed and then accepted into the Los Pipitos community. After an hour drive past beautiful Nicaraguan scenery and stunning views we reached Managua.
As we entered we were hit by the seemingly frozen air compared to the sauna that was our bus. The waiting room was swelling with patients and family members all desperate to be seen. The tour by a doctor followed, showing us all the specialised rooms to deal with a range of disabilities. The contrast between the high levels of poverty seen throughout Nicaragua and the modern high tech centre displayed in Managua was outstanding. The reason for this was a devoted sponsor from Telecom who have paid for many of the facilities that were on show. We were lucky enough to see a hearing aid fitting as well as a music therapy session. The facilities included a hydrotherapy pool, a room specifically made for children with limited vision and a section for improving the independence of children and their ability to interact within society.
A new law has just been passed so that it is mandatory for workplaces to accept a certain amount of disabled people as well as paying them equally and ensuring an equal pension. This was mainly as a result of the tireless work of Los Pipitos. The trip was an eye opener and a great experience to see first hand what actually goes on and the high level of resources available.
This weekend we are heading off to Omnitepe for a lovely beach weekend. Speak soon and comment if you can
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