The Project in Action
Funding for our Special Needs Project Co-ordinator (SNPC) Billy Outeke, a medical officer at the local hospital, is provided by Global Challenge supporters. Billy works for us in four sub counties around Soroti – these are Asuret, Katine, Arapai and Gueri.
Peter Ogeru, a volunteer and a Special Needs teacher at a local state primary school, and other volunteers help to mobilise families of children with special needs for Billy to meet at village centres. They also travel to remote areas to visit families at home, setting up or monitoring programmes and providing a range of services.
Peter with Head Teacher at Ochuloi Primary School
This photo shows Peter Ogeru helping to plan a ‘clinic’ to be held at the school. Co-ordinator Billy, with Trustee Angela Harding and Physiotherapist Sarah Hearle, were to identify children needing hospital assessment and treatment and were able to give advice to parents. Billy and his volunteers then took further action to follow up the needs of these children.
Global Challenge funds transport for children and their families to hospital, special foods, disability aids such as wheelchairs, and some operations.
Billy tells parents he can only see a small number of cases and makes sure they are dealt with properly. Other organisations see a large number and do not always do the follow ups. Villagers see the good work that is done by Global Challenge and see the success of the project. It is important to have sustainable impact within the community and show that the parents have total ownership and responsibility for their children. Parents are also told that the volunteers get paid nothing!
Team Games!
Billy reports that volunteers Joshua and Posiano are leading team games for children with disabilities along with able bodied children. Last August Trustees took out various games equipment such as bats and balls, footballs and Frisbees! These are proving to be very popular. It is so good to see children who were formally disabled by gluteal fibrosis now ably playing along or competing with children who have had no physical impairments.
Able bodied children playing with children previously disabled by Gluteal Fibrosis
Billy tells us that he is now involving schools and other charities with a similar interest. This is so good as it raises awareness among communities on how to fully integrate children with disabilities.