Improve School Readiness for Vulnerable Children

1.0.            Introduction

In this reporting period (May to September 2024), we are thrilled to present to you our center-based activities that are geared towards improving the participation and Inclusion of children with disabilities in life activities including education.

Katalemwa Cheshire Home (KCH) a development Non-Government Organization established in the 1970s envisions “A world where people with disabilities live dignified and productive lives”. The organization provides comprehensive medical and social rehabilitation services to children and youth with disabilities and their families. KCH employs four main approaches to reach its targeted beneficiaries including center-based rehabilitation, Community-based inclusive development (CBID/CBR), Partnerships, and Networks, and recently adopted the intersectionality approach.

2.0.      Centre -Based comprehensive Rehabilitation Services

Our Centre-Based Rehabilitation involves the provision of rehabilitation services to both visiting (outpatients) and resident clients. Using this approach KCH delivers a range of both disability preventive and management interventions including awareness creation, provision of therapeutic services, access to corrective surgeries, and fabrication of assistive technologies; all geared towards improving function, independence, and promoting participation.

2.1. Centre-Based Medical Rehabilitation Activities and Outputs for May – September 2024

Major Activities                                                          No. of Children Reached

Orthopedic management  -                                            252 (F=119, M=133)

Physiotherapy  -                                                             232(F=83, M=149)

Occupational therapy -                                                   376 (F= 166, M=210)

Orthopedic corrective surgeries -                                  30 (F=20, M=10)

Plastic reconstructive surgeries -                                   5 (F=2, M=3)

Assistive devices /technology -                                     184 (F=62, M=122)

2.1.1.  KCH Early Learning Center

At our Early Learning Centre, we integrate both basic literacy skills and therapeutic services. The unit manages mainly children with intellectual disabilities with the aim of improving daily living skills; the ultimate goal is to prepare these children for school.

In this reporting period, 23 children both male and female received services in this unit and reported improved functions.

Outcomes

1. Improved function and independence of children with disabilities; immediate noticeable improvement in function was realized by those who received the surgical interventions and mobility aids.
2. Improved readiness for school among children with disabilities; with improved function especially for those who received mobility aids, children were more willing to go to school.
3. Improved knowledge and attitudes of caregivers: Through our routine sensitization and psychosocial classes for caregivers, we noted a general improvement in providing rehabilitation care and improving caregivers' attitudes.

Challenges and Recommendations

The above achievements were realized amidst some challenges the major ones being

• High costs of rehabilitation and associated costs amidst persistent poverty among households of people with disabilities; even with the subsidized rehabilitation costs at our Center, just a handful of families could afford to bring their children for rehabilitation. There is a need to strengthen community public health facilities to have services closer to the community.
• Persistent negative attitudes of caregivers towards rehabilitation; with the meager resources among households of persons with disabilities, rehabilitation of children with disabilities is not prioritized. The need for continuous sensitization is therefore evident.

Conclusion

To improve school readiness and increase school retention and completion for children with disabilities, comprehensive rehabilitation care is important. With center-based rehabilitation, it's evident that only a handful of those who need these services receive them. It’s also evident that strengthening community systems yields more cost-effective and sustainable rehabilitation care results. We therefore call upon our donors and partners to support us extend rehabilitation care services to our communities since rehabilitation is a precursor to improved access to all services