“My mum takes care of me and protects me.”
Seven year old Camilo in Guatemala (pictured above) is one of four children in his family. His father works as a typographer, while his mother runs a small informal business selling bread. Though Camilo does not work, he helps his family by offering bread to neighbours passing by their home.
Camilo attends the Spaces of Hope project, run by Toybox's local partner, CONACMI. Camilo had been referred to the project due to challenges in the classroom and difficulty completing his homework. When he first joined, Camilo often kept to himself and found it hard to follow instructions, which was initially thought to be a behavioural issue. However, it soon became clear that he had a hearing impairment, shedding light on the true reason behind his struggles.
Camilo's diagnosis was a turning point for him and his family. With proper guidance, his family were able to enrol him at a specialised educational centre equipped to meet his needs. This transition allowed him to access tailored learning methods, helping him communicate more effectively and actively participate in school activities. His mother, Lucia's, support has been key in helping Camilo adjust and learn. She made sure he could attend school, helped him meet and socialise with new people, and learned sign language so they could commuicate more effectively. Lucia shares that she wishes more children in her son's situation were able to access the services her son is now receiving.
At the project, Camilo loves playing football, drawing and painting and says he looks up to his mum because “She takes care of me and protects me."
Before joining the project, Camilo shared that he felt confused. However, now that he has learned more about emotions, he realises that he was probably feeling sad because he struggled to communicate. Through the support of the Spaces of Hope project, Camilo has not only gained the tools to communicate better but also the confidence to connect with others.
Pictured below: (L) Camilo with his friends. (R) Camilo participates in a project activity.
When asked what was most important to him, Camilo shared, "Learning and playing with my friends." Camilo also notices what makes other children in his community happy or sad. He says children are happiest when they can play and can be included in activities like everyone else. However, they feel sad when they are left out of school or games, leaving them bored or playing in the street with nothing to do.
Camilo's story is testament to the power of early intervention, specialised education and strong family support. His journey highlights the importance of identifying and addressing hidden disabilites, to ensure that every child receives the education and opportunities they deserve.
