From A Dream to Reality

Whether you speak English or Spanish, love for kids is just the same. People of Tlaxcala, Mexico understand this fact while NIDD’s program enters the final stage in December of 2004. The success of the program and the community’s awareness of its effectiveness has made “Pablo” (Fr. Paul), the moving spirit behind the program, a house-hold name. For Fr. Paul, this is a mission that needs to be extended to all needy children. He travels to Europe, Asia and Mexico for one purpose: to educate, train and reach out to more and more families. 

In Tlaxcala, the Governor throws all formalities to the wind, inviting Fr. Paul for a cup of coffee. Families and sometimes even total strangers invite him in for “Tamale and Tea”. When he leaves for Oklahoma, his Mexican team requests a speedy return. The complete support of the community and his colleagues has given Fr. Paul a clear vision of the ability to reach out to more needy children.

October 21st and 22nd of 2004 has become a milestone in the heartland state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Its politicians and people share the same spirit and enthusiasm with an energetic team of professionals who have undergone a four-year training program, organized by the National Institute on Developmental Delays. Four years ago, when Governor Alfonso Sanchez Anaya signed a contract with the National Institute to begin a “train-the-trainer” program in his home state, his intention was to equip his small state with the best possible child development program in Latin America. This year that dream has come true. On October 21st and October 22nd, they are recognizing their achievements through an international conference where experts in the area of child development from various continents will participate. 

NIDD has a long history in implementing health care training programs in many countries. In all previous occasions, NIDD implemented the programs in collaboration with other non-governmental agencies. In Mexico, situations were very different. Mexican situations warranted a direct intervention from NIDD that posed a formidable challenge. NIDD assumed a new strategy and created a “train the trainer program” for the state of Tlaxcala with an intention to complete the entire training program by the end of four years.

In 2001, a flexible strategic plan was developed and NIDD opened an office in Apizaco, Mexico. Mr. Melecio Carrasco, a dynamic young professional was hired as the coordinator to operate the office in Apizaco. The National Institute on Developmental Delays and the Health Ministry of Tlaxcala selected a fifteen-member core interdisciplinary team. This initial team underwent rigorous training in various countries including the USA, Poland, Germany and Mexico. >From this small team, NIDD expanded its training program to approximately one thousand professionals, which was a great success. This program created an effective resource base within the state that will serve the children of Tlaxcala for many years to come.

Dr. Maria Drewniak and Dr. Joanna Tos from Poland, master trainers in Vojta diagnosis and therapy, visited Oklahoma and Mexico every six months and trained the doctors and therapists. Fr. Paul Zahler, Mohana Chandran and other NIDD team members from Oklahoma visited Tlaxcala and trained on the “Experience Quotient Developmental Approach”. The National Institute coordinated the entire program through its offices in Mexico, Oklahoma and Dallas.

“It was a challenging project, but the commitment of everyone involved made it possible for us to complete the project with great satisfaction. The real outcome is that this state has become the most child-friendly state in Mexico”, says Fr. Paul Zahler, Director of the National Institute. 

Currently, the NIDD program attracts the interest of various professionals from other states throughout Mexico. The effectiveness of this program has been brought to the attention of the President’s office in Mexico City. NIDD wishes to see the program reach out to all the states of Mexico in the near future.

The services of the National Institute have been sought out by various governmental and non-governmental agencies. “This program is something we have been seeking for quite some time. NIDD’s program for children with disabilities is outcome-oriented, effective and very inexpensive” says Melesio Carrasco, Program Coordinator of NIDD. 
“This training can be a model for any country irrespective of being a developing or developed country” says Dr. Estrada, one of the core team members in Mexico. In the past three years, as a NIDD core team member, Dr. Estrada has had the opportunity to conduct study visits and to receive training from the USA, Poland and Germany.

“Implementing the program with limited funds was a great challange we faced. We were able to achieve the goal, as we received many contributions in-kind and cash from people with nobility” says Mohana Chandran, associate director of the program. Finding funds to provide this kind of training was most difficult during these times of economic downturn. “We are thankful to the people who recognize the need for these kinds of programs”, Fr. Paul said.

“During these three years, the National Institute, as an organization has accumulated various resources here in Mexico, also. We were able to translate the book on “Experience Quotient” and other study materials from English to Spanish. This will help NIDD to reach more and more children with delays in development and their families in Spanish speaking countries”, says Melecio. This year’s convention will create an opportunity for health care professionals to connect with other professionals around the world as well as a great moment for the trainers and participants.