Support New Babies with Down Syndrome in Peru

Since our last update we have provided the project funding for Sociedad Peruana de Sindrome Down (SPSD) in Peru and they have made excellent progress in implementing the project. We are in regular contact with them and have received very positive feedback about the positive impact of the project.

So far SPSD has held meetings with over 40 families of young children with Down syndrome, and there is one more meeting planned. So the project will benefit even more families than the original goal. The feedback from each meeting has been overwhelmingly positive; families have enjoyed meeting adults with Down syndrome and other families, and have gained lots of information from early development practitioners.

The production of the information kits for new parents is almost complete and these will be distributed to local hospitals and medical centres soon.

Thank you again for your generous donation, which is making a huge positive difference to the lives of young children with Down syndrome and their families in Peru. We will continue to update you on the progress of the project and also its longer term impact, which will be assessed by SPSD with our support. 

An enormous thank you to everybody who has given generously to this project, we have reached our target and are now working with our partners in Peru to get activities started. As you know, this project is aimed at providing 150 parents who have just found out that their child has Down syndrome with information kits; and running meetings for 40 families in which they can receive vital support and talk to other parents about their experiences. This project will have a huge impact on the lives of babies with Down syndrome, and provide a foundation for a happy, supportive family environment for them as they grow up.

We have been working closely with our colleagues at Sociedad Peruana de Sindrome Down (SPSD) and they now have all the activities planned in detail, included a timetable for implementation. We are currently finalising our contract with them so that we can send them the money that you have donated, and they can begin working with families.

They have established excellent relationships with local hospitals and diagnosis centres, and medical staff are very eager to have information kits that they can provide to new parents. The meetings have been planned to allow new parents to meet self-advocates with Down syndrome and families with older children, which will provide positive examples of the happy lives people with Down syndrome can live. There will also be guidance provided by physical, speech and occupational therapists to provide crucial information about the early development of their children.

Thank you once again for your generosity, all the money that you have raised will contribute to better informed, well-supported parents who are able to provide their young children with Down syndrome with the love and care they deserve. We will keep you updated as the project begins so that you can see for yourselves the impact it has on these families.

Watch the testimonial video prepared by SPSD, featuring interviews with parents of young children with Down syndrome who have visited SPSD parent meetings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5lpKrliXKU