Learning in Ecaudor

By Dr. Martin Rice

Professor and Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Indiana Wesleyan University

The Santiago Partnership has teamed with us to provide a wonderful learning experience and exposure to the culture and people of Cayambe and portions of Quito, Ecuador.  Over the course of several years, we brought multiple teams of occupational therapy students to Ecuador.  The Santiago Partnership graciously designed experiences for us across a variety of venues including a school for special needs children, an extraordinary day center for adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia, a community-based clinic serving the people of Cayambe, and a home for displaced children. The love of Jesus Christ is woven in all that the Santiago project sponsors and these experiences have introduced our students to culturally relevant life-experiences that are relevant to occupational therapy from year to year.  Because of these valuable experiences, several of our students have been inspired to do their 3-month residential capstone experience alongside Joel and Kim Delp. We look forward to a lasting relationship and continued work alongside the Santiago Partnership.