Overwhelming Need

As someone who holds a degree in psychology and a graduate degree in social work, I am going to go out on a limb and say there are circumstances where the guidance counselors, social workers, and psychologists employed by our, referring to the US, education system are looked at as “fluff” positions.  Or that is the way we sometimes treat them by providing only 1 social worker or 1 school psychologists to an entire district or group of schools.  However, my experience in Peru has demonstrated, without a doubt, the need for such staff.  I have now worked in schools in the district of Lagunas / Mocupe and Santiago de Cao / Cartavio.  Within those two districts, I have met directors, professors, students, and parents from upwards of 10 high schools and the conversation is scarily similar.  Upon discussing my education and background and my role in the community as a youth development volunteer, I am then told of numerous students in great need of an advocate, a counselor, a friend. 

Yamily, a sophomore, had her father diagnosed with AIDS and subsequently started misbehaving in school.
Johnny’s mom died and he now sleeps through all classes except for when he wakes up to stab himself with his pencil or do other self-injurious behaviors.
One student was abused by her father her entire childhood yet no one can figure out why she has low grades.
Fernando drinks every night and weekend and is the ring leader for keeping boys out all night just to come home sick from alcohol.  He just turned 14.
Leydi is 12 years old and is living alone after the death of her mother and separation from her abusive father.

One child quite school after elementary school because of her physical disability, despite her great desire to learn. 

And the list goes on and on.  The school staff includes a director, classroom teachers, auxiliars (classroom assistants or hall monitors/guards depending on the school), and a secretary.  In these rural towns on the coast of Peru there are no counselors, social workers, nurses, psychologists, resource teachers – the schools are missing an entire team of support we are fortunate to have in the US. 

So what happens when a young American with degrees in psychology and social work walks through the doors to serve as a volunteer working with the students on themes of healthy lifestyle and preparation for the world of work??  I am quickly told a handful of such cases and asked, if not begged, to meet with those students, to meet with those parents, to help. 

It is, in a word, overwhelming.  I am but one person to an entire district of schools.  I am but one volunteer who has been told to immediately end discussions of psychology or therapy work to focus on the “packaged” Peace Corps development programs focusing on sexual health and vocational orientation.  But how do you say no to a plea for help when you came to do just that?  I have not found that answer and so I do not say no.  Instead I am working with teachers, directors, and parents that are willing and wanting to maybe just scratch the surface on their student/child’s current situation.  But that is all I can do.  I do not have the answer.  I simply see the overwhelming need for advocates, for counselors, for psychologists in a community that has never had them.