The project
As part of the activities in favour of disabled children and strengthening local organisations, GRT is carrying out together with CBR- Community Based Rehabilitation – of Bhaktapur the project “The Chronicity of the Earthquake” thanks to the contribution of the 8×1000 of the Tavola Valdese.
It is entitled “The Chronicity of the Earthquake” to explain how, after the earthquake, the general situation of the disabled and their families, especially in the villages, has worsened.
The project intervenes directly in the villages because families with disabled relatives cannot easily access the rehabilitation centre in the city of Bhaktapur.
Intervening in the villages requires an established and trusted presence that listens to and takes into account local needs.
This is achieved through meetings with village leaders, health camps and periodic visits to families to set up rehabilitation care and distribute aids for children with disabilities.
We also support school training through the strengthening of special schools for the integration of disabled children with peers.
The project actions are divided into two areas:
- work in the villages for economic support for the health and rehabilitation of disabled children and their families;
- support for special schools for the mentally disabled, autistic, cerebral palsy, deaf and blind
Results
During the past year, we continued activities in the special schools in Bhaktapur: a total of 198 students (104 boys and 94 girls) regularly received a daily meal according to the school meal plan. We regularly provided medicines and assistive devices to children and adults with disabilities and produced 1,500 copies of information material on early identification of disabilities for distribution to teachers, caregivers and children’s families.
During 2023, we initiated new activities, providing access to medical check-ups and training on important topics, such as the TB orientation programme, held in February in cooperation with the Nepal Association Against Tuberculosis (NATA) and attended by 26 people with disabilities (16 girls and 10 boys).
In the same month, we organised together with the local partner CBR a meeting with special school teachers to identify the need for educational material for disabled children in special schools. The following month, we organised an educational material distribution programme for the special school in Bhaktapur.
In parallel, we examined and identified some young people with disabilities suitable for income-generating activities. Almost all of the young people were asked to participate in a training course on making a typical Nepalese traditional cap (Dhaka Topi), and provided a sewing machine to generate income after the project ended. CBR Bhaktapur thus organised 7 days of training focusing on the theme of making traditional Nepalese hats. A total of 10 young people with disabilities (1 boy, 9 girls) participated in the training.
We also continued to carry out educational outings in the area in cooperation with the special schools in the city: On 24 March, 260 people (145 children, 65 parents, 38 staff/volunteers and 12 bus drivers/helpers) and a total of 7 schools took part in the outing to ‘Switzerland Park’.
In agreement with the special school for children with multiple disabilities, an outing was also organised on the day of the celebration of the God of Education -Saraswati Puja: a total of 94 students, parents and teachers participated in the programme.