Empower caregivers of children with cerebral palsy

During the  quarter, our project continued to support caregivers of children with cerebral palsy by strengthening both their economic resilience and emotional wellbeing. Caregiving for a child with cerebral palsy is demanding and often leaves families isolated, financially strained, and overlooked. This quarter focused on restoring hope and stability through practical skills and community connection.

What We Did

During this period, we reached over 27 caregivers through a combination of livelihood training and psychosocial support activities.

Caregivers participated in hands-on bar soap making training, learning a low-cost, home-based income-generating skill that fits within their caregiving responsibilities. The training covered soap production, safety measures, basic costing, and pricing, enabling caregivers to produce soap independently for household use or small-scale sale.

To support emotional wellbeing and social inclusion, we also organized a community Christmas celebration for caregivers and their children with cerebral palsy. The event created a safe and joyful space where families could connect, share experiences, and celebrate their children without stigma or exclusion.

What Changed

Caregivers reported increased confidence in their ability to generate income from home

Feelings of isolation were reduced through peer interaction and shared experiences

Children with cerebral palsy experienced positive social inclusion in a community setting

Informal caregiver support networks were strengthened, encouraging mutual encouragement and collaboration

One caregiver shared that learning soap making gave her “a way to contribute to my family and feel useful again,” while another noted that the celebration made her feel “seen and accepted as a parent.”

Why This Matters

Economic stress and emotional exhaustion are closely linked for caregivers of children with disabilities. By addressing both livelihoods and psychosocial wellbeing, this project helps families move beyond survival toward dignity, stability, and resilience.

What’s Next

In the coming months, we will expand livelihood training, strengthen caregiver support groups, and continue integrating economic empowerment into community-based rehabilitation efforts. With continued donor support, more caregivers will gain the tools they need not only to care—but to thrive.

Strengthening Mothers’ Skills in CP Care

1. Introduction

This project seeks to empower caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) through psychosocial support, training in home-based rehabilitation practices, and peer-to-peer support groups. During this quarter, the main focus was training mothers on proper positioning techniques for children with CP to improve mobility, feeding, breathing, and overall comfort at home.

2. Objectives of the Quarter

• Strengthen mothers’ capacity in home-based care through training on child positioning.
• Provide psychosocial support through group sessions.
• Foster peer learning and mutual support among mothers.
• Enhance mothers’ confidence and skills in supporting their children’s daily needs.

3. Activities Conducted

a. Support Group Meeting:

• Three-day meeting with 28 mothers and 25 children with CP.
• Provided a platform for sharing experiences and challenges.
• Helped reduce isolation and strengthened peer support. 

b. Training on Positioning:

• 28 mothers trained in positioning techniques (sitting, lying, feeding, play).
• Each mother practiced with her child.
• Improved child comfort, function, and prevention of complications.

c. Peer-to-Peer Exchange:

• Mothers divided into 5 small groups for practice and feedback.
• Strengthened peer learning and mutual support networks.

d. Psychosocial Support Session:

• All 28 mothers participated.
• Focused on coping strategies, stress management, and self-care.
• Mothers reported feeling encouraged and supported.

4. Achievements/Key Outcomes this Quarter

• 28 mothers trained on child positioning, with hands-on practice using their children.
• 25 children with CP directly benefited from improved handling and positioning during the session.
• Mothers gained confidence in preventing secondary complications such as stiffness, breathing problems, and feeding difficulties.
• Strengthened peer bonds and collective support among mothers.

5. Challenges Encountered

• Some mothers struggled to attend due to transport limitations.
• Limited therapy equipment (e.g., supportive chairs, cushions) for practice.
• Care demands at home still limit mothers’ full participation.

6. Feedback from Participants

• Mothers appreciated the practical nature of the training and requested more sessions on feeding and play activities.
• They recommended regular refresher trainings to build mastery.

7. Pending Activities

• Follow-up home visits to monitor use of positioning techniques.
• Plan for next quarter’s training on feeding, play, and communication.
• Mobilization of resources for therapy aids and caregiver support.

8. Recommendations and Way Forward

• Increase training frequency to four times per quarter to deepen learning.
• Provide basic therapy aids (e.g., cushions, mats) to mothers for home practice.
• Strengthen collaboration with health facilities for referral and technical support.

9. Conclusion

This quarter successfully empowered 28 mothers of children with CP through training on positioning, enhancing their caregiving capacity and confidence. By improving children’s comfort and participation in daily activities, the intervention contributes to better quality of life for both children and their families. Sustained training, support, and livelihood integration will be crucial for continued progress