Stories from the field

Remember this post I did awhile ago describing my connection and work with HELP International? And at the end I said stay tuned for stories? Well, this one isn't a total tear-jerker, but it is a heart warmer. So as you prepare to dress up your children and allow them to go out at night filling sacks with a ridiculous amount of candy, think about the kids on the other side of the world . . .

Our work in Africa:

As 2008 HELP volunteers got to know their community in Lugazi, Uganda, they were astonished at the conditions of children with disabilities. There were almost no resources for families of these children to turn to. And, because many villagers believed that disability is caused by witch craft or sin, parents feared to seek support amongst each other. Because of this, children with disabilities were left undiagnosed, malnourished, and hidden from the community.

In partnership with a local organization called, Hope for People with Disability, HELP started a support group for 5 mothers and their children with disabilities. As these mothers began to bring their children into the community to associate with each other, families with similar circumstances were excited to join. In a few weeks the group grew to include 33 families.

Every Thursday, families would meet to learn topics from effective communication to nutrition. HELP trained local caregivers to visit families of children with disabilities. They would visit each family once a week to set goals and encourage family bonding. In accordance with the goals set and achieved by families, HELP International was able to place 3 wheelchairs, 4 walking aids, and 6 mattresses with children in the group.

Even more exciting, HELP volunteers were able to partner with a non-profit health clinic, called Cheshire Home, which treats children with disabilities. HELP volunteers coordinated with local leaders in Lugazi to arrange for Cheshire staff to visit Lugazi for a monthly outreach. Now, all of the children have been diagnosed and their families have been given instructions on how to better care for them.

A volunteer who helped head this project recounted a particularly profound experience he had with one of our group members, Sam:

"Sam suffers from hydrocephalus. He is also blind and has no ability to walk due to severe deformities in his legs. Sam is very poor and his family cannot afford a new wheelchair for him to use. Through our home visits, Sam has learned how to crawl. As a result of reaching this goal, HELP was able to provide Sam with a new wheelchair customized to his body and conditions. Now, Sam can crawl to his new wheelchair, and use the wheelchair all by himself, giving him the freedom of mobility. One thing I learned from Sam: In America, we see the wheelchair as a form of confinement, but in Africa, the wheelchair sets someone free."