About to turn 25, the young woman from Santa Cruz has been trained in an untraditional career, but with a wide field of work and that contains great satisfaction, both for the person who executes it and for the person who receives the services. She is an expert in Human Development and Child Life.
Olga Gandarilla Rivero, was born in Santa Cruz on February 21, 1997, is the daughter of Willner Gandarilla and María del Rosario Rivero, graduated from the German school and then moved to North America to pursue higher studies at Colorado State University, in Colorado, USA. She graduated with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She currently resides in Maryland, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in Child Life., at Townson University.
What is the career you chose?
Child Life Specialists have advanced degree training in children’s growth and development; They help families and patients deal with hospitalization effectively, preparing them psychologically and emotionally to face illnesses, treatments and surgeries.
We offer play opportunities at the patient’s bedside as well as in the playrooms. They work hard to make sure parents, siblings, and patients understand the plan of care.
A Child Life specialist provides, above all, preparation for interventions and treatments; support for procedures and alternative approach; teaching age-appropriate diagnosis; resources to discuss the grieving process, the death of a loved one, and trauma; support for the family, for the patients’ siblings; collaboration for optimal, patient-centered care, plus therapeutic play opportunities.
Why this specialty?
I chose to study the master’s degree in Child Life because it is a very new area, but so necessary that it is not yet known in many parts of the world, including Bolivia. Also because I am very interested in the well-being of children and adolescents who are going through difficult times in a hospital due to some diagnosis, treatment or illness. This profession allows children to remain children, even in a hospital.
What does he currently do?
This year I am completing my master’s degree in Child Life. In 2023 I have a four-month full-time internship at a children’s hospital. I work as a volunteer in two hospitals where I support children and adolescents with mental and physical illnesses. Through my volunteering I have been able to practice my future profession and learn directly from a Child Life specialist.
Also, I am a volunteer at a center where I help children with the grieving process and the death of a loved one. In this center I prepare art activities and conversation starters that help children understand, process, accept and express their emotions in a healthy and age-appropriate way.
What are your projects?
My projects as a professional include starting work as a Child Life Specialist at a children’s hospital. I also plan to implement this profession in a children’s hospital in Santa Cruz. I have professors and contacts from my university program who are very interested in bringing this profession to Latin America.
Many times the entire team of specialists in Child Life from a hospital makes trips to Latin American countries where they offer all these services in children’s hospitals for free, for a couple of months.
How are we in Santa Cruz in this area of health?
We need so many resources to take care of the mental and emotional health of the new generations. I have some plans and projects for children’s hospitals with the help of some colleagues from the university. There is no structured plan yet, but the idea is there, it’s worth a try.
About to turn 25, the young woman from Santa Cruz has been trained in an untraditional career, but with a wide field of work and that contains great satisfaction, both for the person who executes it and for the person who receives the services. She is an expert in Human Development and Child Life.
Olga Gandarilla Rivero, was born in Santa Cruz on February 21, 1997, is the daughter of Willner Gandarilla and María del Rosario Rivero, graduated from the German school and then moved to North America to pursue higher studies at Colorado State University, in Colorado, USA. She graduated with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She currently resides in Maryland, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in Child Life., at Townson University.
What is the career you chose?
Child Life Specialists have advanced degree training in children’s growth and development; They help families and patients deal with hospitalization effectively, preparing them psychologically and emotionally to face illnesses, treatments and surgeries.
We offer play opportunities at the patient’s bedside as well as in the playrooms. They work hard to make sure parents, siblings, and patients understand the plan of care.
A Child Life specialist provides, above all, preparation for interventions and treatments; support for procedures and alternative approach; teaching age-appropriate diagnosis; resources to discuss the grieving process, the death of a loved one, and trauma; support for the family, for the patients’ siblings; collaboration for optimal, patient-centered care, plus therapeutic play opportunities.
Why this specialty?
I chose to study the master’s degree in Child Life because it is a very new area, but so necessary that it is not yet known in many parts of the world, including Bolivia. Also because I am very interested in the well-being of children and adolescents who are going through difficult times in a hospital due to some diagnosis, treatment or illness. This profession allows children to remain children, even in a hospital.
What does he currently do?
This year I am completing my master’s degree in Child Life. In 2023 I have a four-month full-time internship at a children’s hospital. I work as a volunteer in two hospitals where I support children and adolescents with mental and physical illnesses. Through my volunteering I have been able to practice my future profession and learn directly from a Child Life specialist.
Also, I am a volunteer at a center where I help children with the grieving process and the death of a loved one. In this center I prepare art activities and conversation starters that help children understand, process, accept and express their emotions in a healthy and age-appropriate way.
What are your projects?
My projects as a professional include starting work as a Child Life Specialist at a children’s hospital. I also plan to implement this profession in a children’s hospital in Santa Cruz. I have professors and contacts from my university program who are very interested in bringing this profession to Latin America.
Many times the entire team of specialists in Child Life from a hospital makes trips to Latin American countries where they offer all these services in children’s hospitals for free, for a couple of months.
How are we in Santa Cruz in this area of health?
We need so many resources to take care of the mental and emotional health of the new generations. I have some plans and projects for children’s hospitals with the help of some colleagues from the university. There is no structured plan yet, but the idea is there, it’s worth a try.
;
