Support excluded kids with disabilities in India

When you made that heartfelt decision to get behind a project giving daycare access to children with disabilities in rural West Bengal, what inspired you?  

Perhaps it was the simple belief that no one should be excluded from society. If so, you share the same belief of the remarkable women at Nishtha, our project partner, who dreamed this project and made it happen back in 2015.  

But how did it happen? Nishtha was already well established. In fact, it had been instrumental in giving thousands of girls from rural villages the opportunity to complete their education. Their work was groundbreaking, changing societal beliefs. In the rural villages, many girls were withdrawn from school at a young age. 

This time, the women of Nishtha identified a new need, children with disabilities. In the rural villages they identifiedhuge levels of discrimination, sometimes even within their own families. Children with disabilities were often malnourished, considered a burden, shunned and hidden away. 

The need for the project coincided with a legacy donation through Karuna. This was how the project got off the ground in 2015. We started with 25 children and now thanks to your ongoing support, 80 children now benefit from the daycare centre.  

This project has simple aims to provide free holistic support and encouragement for children with disabilities and their families. 

9 year old Jiniya has been attending the centre for over 3 years now. Her cerebral pawsy affects her muscles which need strengthening through physiotherapy. The physio also helps with her balance and awareness of space. 

When Jiniya first attended she was unable to sit up without someone supporting her. Now she can sit independently. Jiniya is also receiving speech therapy and here too has made significant improvements. 

Thanks to all your continued support you are keeping this much needed project alive and giving transformative therapies to Jiniya and many other children with disabilities. 

In South Asia, children with disabilities and their families face unique challenges. At Karuna, our mission is to create an equal society that embraces the diverse abilities of every child. We wanted to share a report that sheds light on the profound impact our project has had on the lives of children with disabilities, particularly during the challenges of the global pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes to the lives of children with disabilities and their families. Prior to the outbreak, these children attended school, received medical appointments and participated in rehabilitation sessions tailored to their individual needs. However, the lockdown disrupted their routines and access to vital services, posing significant challenges to their health and well-being.

Through a comprehensive survey conducted with parents of children with physical disabilities, we aimed to understand the potential long-term effects of the lockdown and identify their specific needs after the lockdowns. Our study focused on healthcare issues, including the child's morale, behaviour, social interaction, physical activity and the continuity of rehabilitation and medical care. We also acknowledged the additional stress faced by caregivers and the importance of homecare interventions for these children.

Key Findings:

1. Impact on Children's Well-being: The lockdown had a profound effect on the health and well-being of children with disabilities. They experienced challenges in social interaction, access to recreational activities and the development of essential social skills.
2. Disruption of Rehabilitation and Medical Care: The sudden lockdown made it challenging for caregivers to provide homecare therapies, which play a vital role in the rehabilitation process. Despite these obstacles, caregivers made efforts to adapt and learn the necessary techniques to support their child's functional outcomes. Bhalobasha staff provided home visits in some circumstances.
3. Community Sensitisation: We prioritised sensitising the community and stakeholders about the unique needs of children with disabilities. By fostering collaboration with government hospitals and institutes specialising in disabilities, we ensured that children continued to receive necessary healthcare services. This is part of the ongoing effort to raise awareness in their local communities and the importance of supporting children with disabilities.

Through this project in partnership with Nishtha, we strive to create an inclusive environment for all children, supporting them to make friends and receive the care required for physical and mental health. By identifying their needs, offering tailored therapy and promoting community awareness, we are making significant steps towards encouraging inclusion and enhancing the lives of these children.

During our Christmas campaign, we focused on this incredible project and successfully met our target of £100,000! This will enable us to extend our efforts to meet more children and their families.

Your support can help us continue our efforts in transforming lives. Together, we can ensure that every child can reach their full potential.

Links:

• Visit our website to find out more!