Treatment for 100 youth with disabilities in Congo

Summary

This project provides 100 Congolese youth with disabilities essential treatment and equipment, increasing their mobility, dignity and opportunities for the future.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Project addresses the lack of affordable treatment and bracing for 100 youth with disabilities in the DR Congo—a country with a uniquely severe disability problem and where IPVRC maintains treatment centers in 6 different cities. Impact on beneficiaries' mobility, dignity and opportunity for full societal integration is typically very high, with many beneficiaries progressing from having to crawl on all fours to walking upright and others freed from unnecessary pain and deformity.

How will this project solve this problem?

Trained technicians (themselves disabled) craft high-quality, custom-fit braces to enable/assist disabled Congolese youth to walk. Pre-bracing surgery by a specialist is provided for cases requiring it; physical therapy is provided after bracing.

Potential Long Term Impact

The 100 youths whose mobility will be enhanced will be more able to fully integrate in Congolese society, becoming less dependent, contributing to the country's development, and serving to decrease the isolation and stigma associated with disability.

Project Message

"After the operation, I received the braces and crutches I had waited for during 9 years of suffering. Once again on my feet and walking upright, I began to realize that I could be useful to society.
- Didier Bofatshi, Past beneficiary now serving as an IPVRC cashier.

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources