A friend of mine from the University of Cuenca knew where we had to go to get Move With Balance® into the city of Cuenca’s elder programs. Social Accion. We had several meetings with them. The first meeting we waited a few hours to see them. We ended up giving them a Move With Balance® book in Spanish. They told me to write a document about what I was doing, how the program would work, all the details, etc. OK.
Next meeting: They were very impressed with the document and the book. They said they were doing some of the exercises, but saw the value of other brain exercises we do in Move With Balance. We went back for another meeting where I signed that I had delivered the document, and they had received it. OK.
Next meeting: we met with the Alicia, head of Hogar de los Abuelos, a Social Accion Director, and a lawyer. I talked more about how the program would work. We set up dates, and a time for us to visit the site. OK.
Next, we visited the site to see the space and the people. We decided definitely on dates. Then we had to recruit mentors. We got 17 mentors.
Training:
We had a beautiful mentor training. We started the program, had one session, which was great. Violent protests broke out in Ecuador. The second session was cancelled. The third session was great. Mentors and mentees got in the groove. Everyone had a good time. I was ecstatic. The Move With Balance® program was now in full swing. OK.
The only thing left was that I had to sign a contract with the city. I wasn’t sure when and where this would happen. Suddenly it was time to sign the contract. We had a day’s notice. I thought I’d go in, sign, and leave. OK.
Signing of the Contract:
Here is what happened: They actually had a party! We went to the site. All the elders were there. They brought in elders from another site, and several people from the Social Accion department from the city. They had flowers, decorations, cookies and juice. They gave speeches. The elders dressed in authentic costumes, and performed 3 dances. The choir sang songs. They gave more speeches about the program. Then we went inside and showed several videos that Bill prepared with a day’s notice.
The Reward:
It was so heartfelt and lovely to be in the presence of these Ecuadorians. They are so loving and appreciative. I really hope to have a long, successful relationship with them as we work with all their elders.
We had a Mentor Training for Move With Balance® in Cuenca, Ecuador on October 1, 2019. Enjoy this 1 ½ minute video. Two of the mentees (the people the mentors will be working with) accidently wandered into our training.
As you can see, the mentees and mentors are very warm and friendly. We didn’t have to speak English or Spanish. We just used the universal language of welcoming hugs.
I love how the mentee puts her hat on the chair to save her seat.
We will be doing Move With Balance® at an adult day care center with the city of Cuenca elders. https://vimeo.com/364529979
(The sound in the video is not important, just the spontaneous video itself.)
We are looking for volunteers (known as mentors) to be paired with elders (known as mentees). The mentees are Ecuadorians from the city of Cuenca’s senior center.
The pairs will practice the unique, award-winning Move With Balance® activities together.
How:
Volunteer mentors will experience a two-hour mentor training on Tuesday October 1 from 10—12, then be paired with a mentee. Both will improve balance, cognitive skills, and have a great time becoming friends. Mentors will meet with a mentee, one hour a week for 10 weeks, from October 8—December 10 from 10:45—11:45.
What:
A collaboration of Cuenca Expat Assist, Move With Balance®, VIP Home Health Care, and the City of Cuencaadult day care centers
Where and When:
Mentors can choose to be paired with a mentee from VIP Home Health Care, or they can be paired with a mentee from Hogar de los Abuelos, a senior center in the area.
With VIP, you will arrange your time with VIP and the mentee. With Hogar de los Abuelos, the sessions are 10 Tuesday mornings. Trainer Karen Peterson will lead the activities. Mentors will individualize the activities for the mentee.
Benefits and Take-Aways:
You will benefit from the sensory-motor integration Move With Balance® activities, improving your balance and brain function.
You will assist a mentee in learning the activities and engaging with them socially.
You will be involved in the Cuenca community, working with both expats and Cuencanos.
You will make friendships with both other mentors and mentees.
You will share your own gifts and life experience.
For more information, find out exact location, and to sign up to participate: Email Karen Peterson kp@givingbackmentoring.org
We are teaching Move With Balance® with Music at the University of Cuenca Adulto Mayor (for Older Adults) two days a week. For gringos and locals. The book has been translated into Spanish and is available on the website.
Patricio is doing The Elephant to improve his balance, head-turning, hearing, and tight neck. Others are improving timing and coordination by playing different games with the beanbags (bolsitas de frijoles).
Here is a short 1 ½ minute video of us doing the Cross Crawl (from the “Move With Balance®: Healthy Aging Activities for Brain and Body” book). We are Hogar Cristo Rey assisted living facility in Ecuador. I am leading the activities, Bill is playing the original Move with Balance® song he wrote, and Antonio is our Spanish translator. Click and Enjoy
