The Youth Development program in Peru seeks to address a wide variety of youth-related issues in the fields of education, health, vocational and economic development, among others. One of the most interesting youth populations to consider in our work will be students with special education needs. Although a few of the volunteers in the Youth Development program will be focusing primarily on special ed students, we will all surely incorporate these youth into each of our programs. For me, special ed students are especially interesting, primarily because of my parent’s work and experiences. Because they have both worked with special ed students in some capacity for over 30 years, I think I am especially sensitive to the needs of this population.

In Peru, students with special needs are frequently marginalized and often isolated from the rest of the population. The Peru government recently mandated the inclusion of special needs students into regular classroom settings, and seems to have experienced relative success with this movement. However, a huge percent of special needs youth do not receive any sort of education or services. Especially in rural areas, individuals with disabilities are often perceived to be completely incompetent and often hidden within their houses.

Current youth volunteers with special ed focuses shared their stories with us, and although some of their antidotes were quite heartbreaking, it seems like they’ve helped make a marked difference in the lives of many students with special needs. One of the most powerful Peace Corps stories I’ve heard is that of a current Peru youth development volunteer (who actually lived with my current host family during his training!). This volunteer has a disability that limits his physical mobility, but is able to make adaptations to get around. Considering the intensive medical selection process required by the Peace Corps, it is amazing to me that he had the perseverance to receive medical clearance. However, any physical challenges this volunteer may face don’t seem to phase him, and he has already made amazing progress for youth with disabilities within Peru. The simple fact that someone with a disability is well educated, travels, and works is earth shattering to many Peruvians, and this in itself is inspiring. My family consistently remarks on his ambition and positive attitude, which truly becomes evident even after a short conversation with him.