Enable the Children (ETC) provides in-home and clinical therapy for children with disabilities in Sierra Leone, including access to education, tools and counselling for family members. The program seeks to change the negative stigma toward disabilities by educating and partnering with community, government and local leaders.
Good quality antenatal and child health services are scarce and often unaffordable in Sierra Leone. As a result, many children are born with or soon acquire mental and/or physical disabilities. Widespread misunderstanding complicated by a lack of health and other support services make these children some of the world's most vulnerable, often enduring abuse, neglect and rejection by family and community members. Enable the Children was founded in response to the needs of these children and their
Enable the Children provides quality home, community, and clinic-based therapy and support services for children with disabilities as well as education, tools and counselling for family members. ETC partners with local leaders, enabling them to lead behavior change in communities against negative stigma towards these children. These services enable children with disabilities to attain their full ability and independence to become active members within their communities.
Enable the Children will enrich the lives of over 1,000 children with disabilities through physical and occupational therapy, education and informational resources to family and community members to improve the overall care and support of the children. By helping these children with motor skills, they will be able to rise above the presumptions in their communities, creating acceptance and inclusion.