Support excluded kids with disabilities in India

During the recent period Bhalobasha have had to be extremely flexible and innovative in responding to the very complex challenges which have been presented. West Bengal is now no longer in lockdown, but the effects of families being unable to earn an income for so long, and children being isolated are profound. The project is working hard to try to respond and is standing by the children and their families more than ever before.

Day care sessions at the project are now divided into 3 sessions throughout the day. This means that the resources that are available can be spread out throughout the day and that social distancing measures can be put in place.

Transport systems in the project region are still affected during this time, and where they are available they can be very crowded. Often families cannot afford to use public transport where there are no concessions such as auto rickshaws. For this reason the project continues to run an outreach service for children and families in their homes. A special educator visits the children and their families at home, devising a programme of activities for children and monitoring their progress.

The project also continues to support children and families to claim benefits and entitlements. This is even more vital since financial pressures have increased on families dramatically during the pandemic. The vast majority of families who use the project have had long periods of unemployment and are only able to obtain work in the casual labour market which is now reeling from the effects of a vast economic slowdown in India. This has placed huge pressure on families. Bhalobasha is working in partnership with local government agencies to provide additional financial support to all the members of Bhalobasha, as well as continuing to provide food and clothes for families through donations from private benefactors.

Parents are also able to now receive counselling sessions through the project where they can discuss their worries and concerns. Parents have shared that they are struggling under the weight of the following issues

• Loss of livelihood
• Lack of food
• Uncertainty about the future
• Caring for challenged children

The project has also set up a 24 hour helpline which parents can call at any time if they are having difficulties or want advice or just to share their difficulties, to try to relieve their burden and to help to ease tensions between family members.

During the last year the project has increased its reach. Formerly 38 children and their families were accessing the project. Now 72 children and their families are utilising the service. This has come about because other services for disabled children as far away as Kolkata have had to close during the pandemic, and Bhalobasha are doing what they can to support these families who have been left stranded.

Children receive the following services

1. Special Education
2. Physiotherapy
3. Occupational Therapy
4. Speech Therapy
5. Psychological Counselling 
6. PMR Doctor facilities

Thank you for your support, which enables this work.

Mina, Project Manager for Bhalabosa 'Loving Home' writes about the challenges and successes of the past few months for families and children with disabilities in West Bengal:

"During the last 6 months which has been shaped by the pandemic including periods of lockdown, we had to restrategize ourselves to help the children recover from the regression they suffered during the worst periods of lockdown. Our aim was to make services available to children and their families in a more flexible way and to help parents who have limited time due to having to work more. We have split our work into different, shorter sessions to give families more options. 

Children are now able to receive therapy for longer periods. They are understanding the therapy procedures with more attention to details. They are being given worksheets which they shall have to complete at home. The worksheets have questionnaires which reflect the way they work and the quality of care and attention parents are giving them or neglect they are facing. This is enabling us to make faster progress with children who have regressed when we detect it. 

The capacity for our day-care was for 38 children but a huge inflow of children has brought up the numbers to 72 nearly double the capacity. At present, there are 60 children who are regularly coming to the project. Another 12 children are on diagnosis, assessment, and trial. These children come once a week from far-off places. Apart from the 60 children, we would want to provide services to the other children too because they are economically challenged, which prevents them from buying such services elsewhere as it is expensive. 

All this work and more has helped build bridges of confidence with us. We were the first to reach relief to these households. Questionnaires were used to address anxiety issues. Parents were relieved to talk about and share their worries.

 Reaching out to their children with love and giving importance to their needs through discussions satisfied them. Our team built a bridge of understanding with the parents of disabled children."

Thank you for your support of the essential work for some of the most marginalised children in rural West Bengal. 

Kind regards,

Erika Narkiewicz

www.karuna.org