Therapy for 50 Children with Disability in Nigeria

Dear Valued Partner,

This quarter at SECHILD reminded us why steady care matters just as much as big milestones. For children living with severe cerebral palsy, consistency being fed on time, being held safely, being spoken to with patienceca n mean everything. Because of your support, our home continued to be a place of safety, warmth, and routine for children who depend entirely on others for care.

1. Therapy and Everyday Support

Therapy continued throughout the quarter at the same schedule as before, with sessions held twice a week. While progress for children with severe cerebral palsy is often subtle, our caregivers and therapists observe meaningful changes over time, we also had an intern who worked worked with head physiotherapist

Our therapy focus includes:

• Physiotherapy to ease stiffness and support comfort

• Occupational and expressive activities to encourage engagement and connection

Outside therapy hours, children receive daily feeding, hygiene support, emotional reassurance, and attentive supervision. The environment remains calm and structured, helping the children feel secure and cared for.

2. New Arrivals and a Painful Goodbye

During this reporting period, five new children were admitted into our care. Most arrived from families facing severe financial hardship, where consistent therapy and specialized care were simply not possible. At SECHILD, they were welcomed gently and given time to adjust, bond with caregivers, and settle into routine.

We also experienced a heartbreaking loss this quarter, as one child passed away. This loss deeply affected our team and the other caregivers who had formed a bond with the child. It was a moment of grief, reflection, and renewed commitment to providing comfort, dignity, and love for every child, for as long as they are with us.

3. Supporting Caregivers and Growing the Team

Caregiver guidance remained a key part of our work. We also welcomed one new caregiver into our team this quarter. Their addition has helped ease workload pressures and ensured that children continue to receive attentive, patient care throughout the day.

Impact at a Glance

• Therapy sessions maintained consistently throughout the quarter

• Five new children now receiving safe, full-time care

• One caregiver added to strengthen daily support

• Noticeable improvements in calmness, comfort, and responsiveness among several children

Challenge

• Therapy frequency remains limited by available funding 

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, our focus remains on:

• Sustaining and gradually expanding therapy services

• Strengthening caregiver support and staff capacity

• Continuing to provide a stable, loving environment for children with complex needs by building a bigger center

With Gratitude

At SECHILD, progress is often quiet. It may look like a child resting peacefully, a calmer feeding time, or a caregiver feeling more confident than before. These moments matter deeply.

Thank you for standing with us and for making steady, compassionate care possible for children who rely on it every day. Your support continues to change lives in the most meaningful ways.

Dear Valued Partner,

This quarter, we made meaningful strides toward empowering people with disabilities and their caregivers to take charge of their health rights and become active advocates in their communities. Thanks to your continued support, we successfully implemented the program titled:
“Empowering Self-Advocacy in Special Needs Communities for Better Health Services.”

1. Building a Stronger Voice: Self-Advocacy Training

We convened a dynamic group of stakeholders and individuals with disabilities for a one-day advocacy and awareness training. The focus of the event was to help participants understand their rights, communicate their needs effectively, and engage with the health system more confidently.

This was a powerful opportunity for learning, connection, and collective visioning.

Training covered topics such as:

• Understanding health rights for persons with disabilities

• Navigating healthcare systems with confidence

• Building inclusive communities through self-advocacy

• Storytelling for change and representation

Participants left the session feeling empowered, seen, and equipped to take the next step in advocating for themselves and others within the special needs community.

2. Ongoing Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

While advancing our advocacy efforts, we also continued to deliver daily therapy services to the 17 children currently under our care. These children many of whom have faced neglect or abandonment receive individualized therapy that supports their physical, emotional, and social development.

Services provided include:

• Physical and occupational therapy

• Social interaction and play-based learning

• Emotional and psychosocial support

We are seeing steady progress in motor coordination, emotional regulation, and confidence. Parents and caregivers have also expressed gratitude for the consistency and love shown to their children.

Impact at a Glance

 Stakeholders and individuals with disabilities trained on self-advocacy
 Improved awareness of disability rights and inclusive health access
 Sustained therapeutic care for 17 children with cerebral palsy
 Renewed commitment to inclusion and dignity for all

Challenges

 Funding constraints limit how many people we can reach with advocacy training
 Rising operational costs impact our ability to maintain therapy services at scale
Transportation barriers continue to affect access to programs for some families

Looking Ahead

We are energized by the momentum from this quarter and remain committed to expanding the self-advocacy initiative and maintaining high-quality therapy services. With your continued support, we hope to:

• Host more advocacy sessions in underserved communities

• Train caregivers on inclusive health rights and practices

• Provide mobility aids and therapy tools to children in need

Thank you for helping us change lives, shift systems, and build a world where every child and adult with a disability is seen, heard, and valued.