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 P I MAY I ) 5 6 ; ill 
 
 The government of Venezuela has requested Peace Corps Volunteer 
 Physical Therapists to help launch a nationwide rehabilitation 
 program there. The regional rehabilitation centers to which the 
 Volunteers will be assigned have never had physical therapists and 
 the need is acute. Regional medical directors are enthusiastically 
 awaiting the Volunteers . Those selected for this program will 
 
 begin training in February I966, so applications sWiNildOBeFlsia.lj- 
 mitted prior to January 15. 
 
 Above, Volunteer Kathy Connolly works with cripplet. 
 orphans in latin America. Right, Volunteer Anne 
 Peabody gives paraffin bath to leprosy patient. 
 
HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM 
 
 Venezuela's general rehabilitation program was begun in I963 with a 
 detailed survey by the Pan American Health Organization. The program is 
 based on recommendations stemming from this study. Since the original 
 interest in rehabilitation grew out of the Anti-Leprosy Program of the 
 Ministry of Health, the Division of Dermatology is presently directing the 
 program. A separate Division of Rehabilitation is planned to go into 
 operation this year. 
 
 A school of physiotherapy is being formed in the School of Public 
 Health of the Central University in Caracas. The first class will be 
 graduated in 1967- 
 
 For the past 20 years the Orthopedic Hospital in Caracas has conducted 
 a program of rehabilitation for physically handicapped children, especially 
 those attacked by infantile paralysis. This hospital has a Physical 
 Medicine and Rehabilitation Service which works toward the evaluation and 
 treatment of the physically handicapped. The hospital is supported by the 
 Mendoza Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization in Venezuela. 
 JOB DESCRIPTION 
 
 Each Volunteer physiotherapist, along with an occupational therapist, 
 will be assigned to a regional rehabilitation center or to a center in 
 Caracas (the capital). In addition to patient care under the direction 
 of the physiatrists, they will participate directly in the training of 
 the rehabilitation aids (orderlies) and visiting nurses (vocational nurses). 
 
 The Volunteers assigned to the regional rehabilitation centers will 
 divide their time between the regional center and outlying rural clinics, 
 where they will supervise the training of auxiliary personnel in home 
 
rehabilitation procedures as well as participate in the orientation of 
 rural physicians in rehabilitation methods. Those in Caracas will devote 
 part of their time to work in the Hospital Orthopedico. Work will include 
 the rehabilitation of patients with Hansen's disease as well as problems 
 common to the United States. Adequate physiotherapy equipment is avail- 
 able in the regional centers and in the Orthopedic Hospital. 
 In summary, physiotherapists will: 
 
 1. Care for patients under the supervision of a physiatrist. 
 
 2. Train rehabilitation aids (orderlies). 
 
 3. Train visiting nurses (vocational nurses) in home rehabilitation 
 procedures . 
 
 k. Participate in disability evaluation. 
 
 5. Participate in the planning and development of the rehabilitation 
 program as a member of the rehabilitation team. 
 
 Volunteer Anne Peabody teachers one 
 patient to bandage the leg of another. 
 (All photos by Dan Goldsmith). 
 
 TRAMBTG 
 
 Volunteers will train for about three months at an American university, 
 where they will study the history and culture of Venezuela, the Spanish 
 language, and take refresher courses in American and world history as well 
 
|''|JVER,SITY OF FLORIDA 
 
 as a health and physical conditioning program. Also include 3 1262 088517296 
 training course will be a technical studies portion devoted to preparing 
 the Volunteer to work effectively as a physical therapist In Venezuela. 
 Volunteers will spend approximately three months in training and twenty- 
 four months in Venezuela. 
 ABOUT VENEZUELA 
 
 Venezuela is located on the northern coast of South America and is 
 roughly the size of Texas and Oklahoma combined, with a population of over 
 seven million. Venezuela's wealth of petroleum and other resources has 
 produced the highest rate of economic growth and per capita income in Latin 
 America. But the high national income is distributed unevenly and several 
 million persons are living under conditions of extreme poverty. 
 
 The climate is mild and spring-like year round with only slight changes 
 in temperature marking the seasons. During the forty-five days of vacation 
 during the two years overseas. Volunteers will enjoy traveling in Venezuela 
 or the other countries of Latin America. 
 
 Peace Corps service can be rewarding, exciting and satisfying. It 
 provides a means for broadening insights into another culture, becoming 
 better equipped to evaluate your personal standards and applying your skill 
 as a physical therapist and your skill as a human being where it is very 
 much needed. 
 HOW TO APPLY 
 
 Pick up a Peace Corps Volunteer Questionnaire (application) at any 
 Post Office or write to the Medical Skills Desk, Office of Public Affairs, 
 Peace Corps, Washington, D. C. 20525- Applications for this program should 
 be submitted as soon as possible. 
 AIBO NEEDED FOR PEACE CORPS REHABILITATION PROGRAMS 
 
 Speech Therapists 
 
 Brace Makers 
 
 Occupational Therapists gsa dc pc 66-2400