Tulio is a 9-year-old boy with CVI and multiple disabilities from Brazil. He was born in a small city in the state of Bahia. When Tulio was six months old, the family learned that he was born with disabilities and they moved to Sao Paulo, a larger city where he could get better care.
Perkins has supported Tulio’s journey since he started Kindergarten in Sao Paulo. Perkins guidance has been key. Tulio’s teachers and school administrators heard about CVI for the first time through Perkins. Tulio is now on third grade.
After years of continuous effort and collaboration, his school became part of the “Model Program” of Perkins International. Through this program, Perkins works with school’s teachers, its management team and families with the ultimate goal of increasing the access of children with multiple disabilities or deaf blindness to quality education.
Because of COVID, Tulio moved back with his family to his home state because Sao Paulo was hit hard by the pandemic. He continued enrolled in his school in Sao Paulo, where teachers now faced the challenge of having to teach virtually. Tulio’s teachers would send his mom activities so his education process didn’t have to be abruptly interrupted. Perkins helped Tulio’s mom adapt the activities and provided her guidance on how to develop them with his son.
Bahia got hit by COVID this time and Tulio’s family relocated once more, this time to a rural and isolated community to protect Tulio from the virus. Perkins followed them on their journey. Despite internet connection being weak and unreliable in Tulio’s new home, Perkins found a way to continue working with him. Perkins served as a bridge with Tulio’s school in Sao Paulo, and using WhatsApp sent learning materials to both Tulio and his mother. This has allowed Tulio to continue learning while schools remain closed.
