In the spring of 1981, a small group of Peruvians with motor disabilities, sought help from Fr. Daniel Panchot, C.S.C., a Holy Cross priest working in the urban neighborhoods of Lima. Faithful to the spirit of his Religious Order to serve as “…educators of the faith in mind and heart with a preference for people who are poor,” Fr. Daniel established Yancana Huasy, which has become one of Peru’s premier NGOs. Led today by José Antonio Patrón, Yancana Huasy works to integrate children and families with special needs into public schools, faith communities and neighborhoods. They are primary advocates in ensuring that the disabled have access to public transportation and handicapped accessibility in public buildings. Much of their focus is on training parents of children with disabilities to meet the physical and emotional needs of their child. Yancana Huasy’s staff, many who have worked there for more than 20 years, live each day by the belief that “…it takes a special parent to care for a child with special needs.”
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