Outbound recap from Peru exchange project

The East Carolina University College of Health and Human Performance outbound segment to Peru was completed in early March and embraced as another unique opportunity to impact stakeholders and leaders with and without intellectual disabilities in the 2024 ECU and Special Olympics Unified Youth Exchange project.

The group stops for a picture together.

ECU’s team, led by Dr. Stacy Warner as principal investigator for the grant and with support from Special Olympics International, the U.S. Embassy in Peru and Special Olympics North Carolina, was in Peru from Feb. 28-March 8 and engaged regularly in discussions with sport leaders committed to advancing sport opportunities. This was intended to share and exchange ideas on how to make sport more inclusive in both countries. The insights from the youth leaders — curated by skilled adult mentors — resulted in hands-on learning and greater appreciation for learning from those from differing backgrounds.

The robust agenda focused on sports for social change, and utilized a mixture of interactive activities, talks from Peruvian sport leaders, connections with local organizations and reflection opportunities to nurture skill-building and cross-cultural dialogue.

Three of the emerging youth leaders were very excited to experience their first flight. Upon arrival, the group was welcomed by the U.S. Embassy in Peru to tour the area, learn from a helpful health and safety presentation and about services and programs offered by the U.S. Department of State.

HHP represented during a basketball clinic experience.

Other highlights included:

• A visit to Machu Picchu with an excellent tour guide recommended by the U.S. Embassy. The group learned about the area’s history while embracing the scenic views on a beautiful day.
• A meeting with Dunia Felices Rojas, an awarded para swimmer and founder of Paramas, an association dedicated to delivering social change through parasports. Rojas’ inspiring story of learning to swim after losing four limbs at age 15 and insightful questions from the delegation cultivated a rich conversation on accessibility, determination and inclusion.
• Connected with Colectivo Down Peru, an organization focused on the inclusion of people with Down Syndrome in Peru. ECU’s representatives proudly participated in a basketball clinic, made new friends and engaged in the universal language of sports.
• Learned about the work of Juega En Tu Barrio, an organization that brings together people of all abilities and ages to engage in recreational activities. The leadership team facilitated inclusive activities that promoted problem-solving and collaboration.
• The Unified youth leaders embraced learning about Peruvian culture by taking the lead in researching and recommending several new enjoyable foods to try, and then practicing their Spanish with numerous welcoming waiters and waitress.

ECU’s student mentors and partnered Special Olympics athletes were honored in Minges Coliseum during an ECU women’s basketball game Jan. 20 to start the orientation phase of the exchange project. Youth Leaders will remain connected via virtual connects and engage in preparation for the inbound segment to North Carolina in a few months.

Four of the HHP academic units — kinesiology, social work, recreation sciences and human development and family science — are represented in the faculty team of Drs. AJ An (expert in adapted sport), Eboni Baugh (cross-cultural coordinator and project evaluation specialist), Andrea Buenaño (project director in sport and experiential learning), Christine Habeeb (expert in sport psychology and unified sport), David Loy (director of ECU Design4Disability initiative) and Warner (director of ECU Sport and Community Development Lab).

Also selected for the 10-day project were: Erik Martinez-Santoyo, who graduated with a degree in foreign language and literatures with a concentration in Hispanic studies; Special Olympics athlete, Elijah White, from Lake Norman; ECU student, Jacquelin Acuna Mendoza, majoring in recreational therapy; Special Olympics athlete, Princess Bristow, of Johnston County; ECU student, Jillian Conroy, double majoring in exercise physiology and Hispanic studies; Special Olympics athlete, Gabe McBride, from Orange County; ECU student, Marcos Ardon Lobos, majoring in recreational therapy and Special Olympics athlete Lana Foster, of Clay County.

A lot of smiles during interactions among Special Olympics athletes.

Pictured at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru.