By Jill van Leeuwen | Project Leader
In January 2016 Maartje and Paula stayed at Nafasi Welfare Home (NWH) for three months.
During this time they wrote their bachelor thesis “ Moving beyond basic care, Interventions on caregivers’ interactions and the social development of children at Nafasi Welfare Home, ” concerning the social development of the children at Nafasi and the quality of the care given by NWH. They have written the following report for us and we are very proud to say that they have now graduated and received a mark of 9.2 out of 10 for the research done at Nafasi!
It was clear to see that the Ugandan staff and management wanted to give a home to children who are abandoned by their biological family. Day and night there is a team of dedicated caregivers available who are responsible for the care of the children. Child abandonment is a massive problem in Uganda and therefore Nafasi Welfare Home (NWH) intervenes by taking care of a number of these children who are in urgent need of a home, shelter, care, food, warmth and the feeling of being wanted and loved. Besides the daily care of the children Nafasi’s Community Support Programme team works to reunite children with a member of their biological family or if this is deemed to be impossible, due to many far reaching circumstances, they will search for another solution to the crisis this often being a foster family. By doing this NWH wants to give the children and their family hope for their future and a new chance in life.
During our stay nine children aged 0 – 3 years were resident at NWH. Each child has their own specific story, challenges and abilities but with one common denominator: they are all traumatized because they have been separated from their parents and family. This is visible in their development and behaviour for example: A two year old boy appeared to be very afraid of men since he had been mistreated by his own father. A one and a half year old girl has difficulties making contact with new people because she was frightened of strangers. When the children were left alone for a very short period they started to scream with fear of being abandoned and left behind again.
Our research underlined the importance that the children are provided with a safe environment and adequate level of care in order to develop and reach their milestones. Our conclusion is therefore that the work of NWH is very vital and needs to be stimulated and continued so that children have the possibility to receive care in a positive, safe and stimulating environment that enables them to be reintegrated into the community so that they can eventually lead normal lives.
Chance for some extra funding coming up in October… Your support is so valuable!
Global Giving Little by Little by Little Campaign = 50% Match on all donations under £50
From 25th October - 1st November 2016
Please note the dates in your diary.
Please help our project even more by sharing the Nafasi story our GlobalGiving Project Page, Website and Facebook Page with your family, friends and contacts.
Better still become a regular donor from as little as £5 a month.
We are very grateful for all the support we have already been given from all our donors and especially our GlobalGiving friends. Thanks to you we can carry on this vital work of caring for the vulnerable babies and young children in Uganda.
In the words of Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Thank you again for your support.
Kind regards from Jill and the Nafasi Team
For more information go to: www.globalgiving.co.uk/20522 or https://goto.gg/20522
www.nafasiwelfarehome.org/en/ www.facebook.com/nafasiwelfarehome
or send an email to kha.jcvanleeuwen@gmail.com
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