Alejandro is a 17 year old young person who stutters from Guatemala. In Guatemala there is no opportunity to participate in speech therapy for stuttering. This project will raise the necessary funds for Alejandro to attend Camp Shout Out in 2013 where he will receive intensive speech therapy while participating in traditional summer camp activities with peers. 2013 will be Alejandro's third session at Camp Shout Out.
Alejandro has been stuttering since the age of 3. His family was very frustrated that they could not find any help for their son in Guatemala. Stuttering is a communication disorder occurring in up to 5% of all school age youth, many of whom experience a great deal of fear when faced with everyday communication. Before attending Camp Shout Out, Alejandro experienced a great deal of anxiety around talking. His teacher reported that after Camp Alejandro started volunteering to talk more in class.
At Camp Shout Out, Alejandro will participate in the 'Leader-In-Training' program where he will learn problem solving strategies, interact with peers and younger children, learn leadership skills all while improving his communication abilities. Alejandro's mother reported that after a few days at Camp in 2012 he learned more about himself and about communication than he learned anywhere else. Camp Shout Out is the only place Alejandro is able to socialize and interact with others who stutter.
Participation in Camp Shout Out will enable Alejandro to continue to practice communicating effectively in a safe and supportive environment. He will be able to return to school in Guatemala with increased self-confidence and be more effective with his communication skills. He will be able to express his thoughts and ideas to familiar and unfamiliar people. He will realize that he can continue his education after high school and learn that he can do anything he wants to do.
