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, and being spoken to with patience can 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. Enhanced Therapy and Clinical Progress

We are thrilled to share that we have expanded our clinical team with an additional therapist. This increase in personnel has led to a noticeable surge in the quality of care and physical improvement among the children.

• Case Highlight (Physical Mobility): One of our children, Maximus, joined us with extreme bodily stiffness that made daily movement and care a significant challenge. Through the intensive and constant therapy made possible this quarter, we have seen a remarkable reduction in that stiffness. He is responding beautifully to treatment.

• Case Highlight (Corrective Surgery): We are also proud to report that Favour, who was born with clubfoot, has successfully undergone corrective procedures on her legs. Seeing her on the path to better alignment and mobility is a testament to what consistent intervention can achieve.

• Internship Support: We also benefited from the assistance of an intern who worked closely with our Head Physiotherapist, adding fresh energy to our sessions.

2. Growth and New Beginnings

Our family continues to grow. This quarter, we welcomed Thehillah Giwa into our care. Like many of our children, Thehillah is being gently integrated into our daily routines, receiving the specialized attention and bonding time necessary to feel secure in a new environment.

While we celebrate these new beginnings, we also experienced a heartbreaking loss this quarter as one child passed away. This loss deeply affected our team and caregivers. It served as a moment of grief and a renewed commitment to providing comfort, dignity, and love for every child for as long as they are with us.

3. Strengthening Our Care Team

To maintain our high standards of attentive care, we have hired one new caregiver. This addition has been vital in easing workload pressures and ensuring that every child receives the patient, one-on-one supervision they require.

Impact at a Glance

• Staff Expansion: One additional therapist and one new caregiver added to the team.

• Medical Milestones: Successful leg correction for clubfoot (Favour) and significant reduction in spasticity (Maximus).

• New Admission: One child (Thehillah Giwa) welcomed into full-time care.

• Consistency: Therapy sessions maintained twice weekly with increased specialized oversight.

Current Challenges & Urgent Needs

While we have seen great improvement, our progress is tethered to our resources. To sustain this momentum, we are currently facing the following needs:

• Sustainable Therapy Funding: With an expanded team and more children, we require additional funds to ensure therapy sessions continue without interruption.

• Specialized Equipment: We are in urgent need of sitting frames. These are essential for postural support, allowing children who cannot sit independently to engage with their environment safely and comfortably.

Looking Ahead

Our focus remains on building a larger, more equipped center to accommodate the growing need in our community. We are committed to sustaining our expanded therapy services and providing a stable, loving environment for children with complex needs.

With Gratitude,

The SECHILD Team

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.