I’ve been asked more than once by Vivir Juntos to send some pictures of Ruach staff. It seems such an easy question. However, it is a slightly tricky one for me, because our team of assistants is not yet as permanent as I would like it to be, so why send a photograph of an assistant whose contact will not be renewed after the initial probation period?
Nicaragua has not got any training for professionals who would like to work in a section of the social sector that focuses on disabled people. The reason is simple: Nicaragua has not got a ‘disability sector’ to speak of.
Of course there are well-intentioned people who are looking for work. The most promising applicants are those who are at least aware of ‘social sector’ work and have some affinity with disabled people. But the ‘average’ applicant seems to think that being of good will is enough to be suited for the job.
Of course we have an application procedure: (i) send a curriculum vitae with an application letter (90% are incomplete and lacking in content!), (ii) then an informal conversation, followed by (iii) a formal interview, and if candidates shows promise, we take (iv) a psychological test to separate the chaff from the corn.
But the proof of the pudding is not in the preparing, but in the tasting. So the start of a month’s trial period for a candidate is for all of us a matter of ‘hope and pray’. During the last 6 months we had to turn down 4 candidates after their probation period. Given the poor performance we were not sorry to let these people go, but we are sorry about the time and energy that we had to invest in supporting the unsuccessful candidates in their probation period.
So herewith a picture of our staff of the activities centre: Eva and Heydis. Eva has been with us since May last year. She is great in the practical work, and in her contact with the participants and their parents, but is less skilled in organizing and administration. And that is one reason why we started looking for an auxiliary worker. Another reason is that we need more ‘hands’ as we have increased the number of participants for the activities centre from 6 to 12.
Heydis started her part-time work mid-February and is responsible for the organisational and administrative aspects of the activities club. We have worked with each other before and she has experience in working with disabled persons. Knowing Heydis, I expect she will become part of our permanent team. Enjoy the picture.