2. LOS PARGOS-URBAN MEXICO
Los Pargos is an organization of families of
disabled children in Mazatlán, a city on the west
coast of Mexico. The program was started
privately by Teresa Páez, a local social worker.
While she was working in a public hospital,
Teresa became concerned that although disabled
children were given basic medical treatment, they
received almost no rehabilitation. Most did not go
to school because of non-acceptance by teachers,
difficulties in transportation, or overprotection by
parents.
Teresa began by bringing a group of concerned
parents together, and they invited others. Today
Los Pargos includes about 60 families with
disabled children, and it continues to grow.
Los Pargos has set up its own special
education program and has convinced the local
university authorities to make space available
in a local prep school after school hours. Some
of the teachers, who are volunteers, are also
disabled. This makes them good role models for
the children.
EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMS 517
Los Pargos, located about 100 miles from
PROJIMO, often takes groups of ‘parguitos’
(disabled children) to PROJIMO for rehabilitation
services that they have trouble getting in the
city. Also, their visit to PROJIMO is an adventure
into the country for these city children and their
parents.
One of the
children of
Los Pargos
waters
a young
tree—part of
an orchard
the parents
and children
are planting
together.
A few of the children of Los Pargos with one
of their teachers, on the left. The teacher,
severely affected by cerebral palsy, has a personal
understanding of the children’s needs.
The word ‘Pargos’ is the name of a large,
colorful fish! The children picked the name. It is
perhaps appropriate, since much of the money
for running the program and transporting the
children comes from fish scales! On weekends
the children and their parents visit the beach
where fishermen dock their small boats and clean
their fish for the market. The group collects the
large fish scales, which they clean, bleach, color,
and use to make artificial flowers. The children
and parents set the flowers in attractive bouquets
and designs together with small seashells,
seaweed, and other dried sea life. In the tourist
city of Mazatlán, selling the flowers has become
a good business. When we last visited Los
Pargos, parents and children were working very
hard to fill a rush order for 2000 bouquets!
One of the goals of Los Pargos is to convince
the government, the public schools, and society in
general to accept, respect, provide opportunities,
and help meet the needs of disabled children.
Some things are changing, but slowly. As one
of the parents explains, “The best way to get
something done is to do it ourselves!”
The idea of Los Pargos has begun to spread
to other communities. Families of disabled
children in Culiacán, the next biggest city to the
north, are trying to organize a similar program.
The key to success seems to be a few persons
with energy, commitment, and an ability to get
people working together.
Four pictures of sea turtles, painted by Los Pargos
children, as a part of their “Save the Turtles”
campaign.
disabled village children