EMPOWERED TO SUPPORT: A RENEWED SENSE OF HOPE AND PURPOSE TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY

For parents caring for a child with a disability, it can take an emotional and physical toll unlike anything they have experienced before. Hundreds of parents who have Children with Disabilities (CwD) are supported by UNICEF to access mainstream and disability-related services in education, healthcare, rehabilitation and social protection, and child protection. This involves regular training for parents of Children with Disabilities, frontline social workers like IZUs¹ and Community Health Workers (CHWs), education officers, health officials, local leaders and community members on ways to properly care for CwD, how best to feed them, educate them, but most importantly, be keenly aware of – and accept their special needs.

“We have really benefited from the training sessions we are given, and quality of life – for both our child and the family – has improved.” Said Anastase, one of the parents who gained from the training.

Parents have reported that this has led to many positive changes in themselves and most importantly in their children. The training has enabled parents to progressively adapt to the stressful experiences of raising their child and have put in place safe and healthy environments for their children to thrive. The children are also able to access education that is responsive to their special needs, to improve their chances and opportunities for good health, to grow their intellectual abilities and advance their sense of hope for their life and dreams. The strive to include all children with disability in education, health, and social protection initiatives is a combined effort with all public and private entities.