Physical Health Sierra Leone Project #41012

Physiotherapy to over 1,000 Kids with Disabilities

by World Hope International, Inc.

Physiotherapy to over 1,000 Kids with Disabilities

Project Report | Feb 24, 2020
Dream Comes True

By Rob Bugler | ETC Logistics Officer

Meeting the Leone Stars

Alfred is 10 years old who loves to play soccer. Alfred was born with delayed development and left sided weakness. Soon after he was born, his father died and thus, he grew up with his 2 sisters, mother and grandmother. With his condition, his mother was feeling hopeless in how she can help her son with speech difficulties, not being able to use his hands well, and having balance issues. She found out about Enable the Children (ETC), a program that provides physiotherapy and occupational therapy, care and suport services to children living with disabilities, from Alfred’s friend at school. Alfred has been part of the ETC program for 1.5 years. Through this program, she has learned exercises that will enable Alfred to communicate better with his family and friends, help improve his balance and run more easily.

Additionally, Alfred is part of ETC’s school sponsorship initiative that provides opportunity for children to go to school by paying for his school fees. Alfred is in Grade 2 attending Aunty Lillian Preparatoty School in Calabatown. His favorite subject is physical health education. Through the generosity of his sponsor, he also received new clothes and food supplies that helped his family meet their immediate needs.

Alfred’s dream came true when Alfred and twenty-four other children with disabilities had the privilege of meeting the Leone Stars, Sierra Leone’s National Footbal Club. He passed the ball back and forth and spent time with the best soccer players in the country! This was such an incredible experience! His mother stated: I am not sure what would have happened to me and my son if Enable the Children had not got involved. My son has improved so much and now he is playing football with the Leone Stars. Usually people move away from me because of my son’s condition, but you embrace him for who he is. This is one of the goals of ETC: to enable children living with disabilites to be included, loved, and valued intheir families and communities, ensuring a good quality of life.

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Nov 26, 2019
A Child Can Walk Again

By Lindsey Smart | The Hope Fund Manager

Rashid is a 7-year-old boy who was unable to walk as he had suffered from an acquired brain injury due to sickness. Rashid is currently in 1st grade, and lives with his mother, Adama, and extended family in east Freetown. His injury and paralysis were challenging and debilitating on the family, so they sought help with World Hope International’s Enable the Children (ETC) program.

In 2016, Rashid came to one of ETC’s clinics held at the children’s hospital in Freetown. Since the initial assessment conducted at the clinic, our ETC physiotherapists have been working on his balance, function and strength through specific exercises. These exercises include calf stretches, hamstring stretches, 2 point and 4-point kneeling to help with core stability and balance, and bridging which strengthens the core muscles, focusing on the glutes and spinal muscles. Additionally, the therapists work on right upper limb stretches to increases flexibility and functional mobility.

Rashid’s parents were also shown how to perform the stretches and given written instructions to help continue the exercises at home, with the goal of doing the stretches every day. With months of dedication, Rashid can walk again, although his left side is still weak. He uses stability boots that helps correct foot position.

Along with being treated by physiotherapists at his home every other month, Rashid and his mother attend family support group meetings led by an ETC staff member to talk about autism and other disabilities. The family support worker shares information and teaches families and caregivers how to support their child with disabilities. The meetings also encourage parents and other caregivers to know that they are not alone. Rashid’s family also participated in Enable the Children’s annual beach outing. The event saw a city come together to celebrate the lives of kids and their families who have incredible determination as they live life with a disability and battle stigmatization.

Through the interventions, Adama stated, “Rashid has made so much progress through the exercises and through going to school. We are very thankful for all your care and support. We were so encouraged to meet other people with children with different issues and will continue to have hope that he will continue to improve.”

Enable the Chidren provides care and support services to chidlren living with disabilites in Freetown, Sierra Leone

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