The History ... Over the past few years there has been a growing awareness within the GC team that child disability and special education are areas of much need in Uganda.

These difficulties are regarded with superstition and fear in many parts of Africa and Uganda is no exception.  Common medical conditions, such as epilepsy, can cause individuals to be shunned and rejected by their community.  Consequently, many parents hide children with difficulties away and the community is ill equipped to respond to help. 

In 2007 the new project was launched.  A team from the UK including a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, teacher of the hearing impaired and special needs teachers worked alongside local representatives to set up a range of initiatives.

The assessment process - A translator works with Gemma to find out children's individual needs and specific difficulties

Speech and Language Therapist, Kathryn, encouraging  Achom with speech sounds. Achom has been unable to attend school due to voice problems.  Her family are unable to afford access to appropriate medical care.

Research showed that in the more remote areas, families do not have the means to travel into the town. It is impossible for disabled children to be carried any distance. In most cases, they have never been seen by a doctor or received any medical intervention or advice. This group have no possibility of attending school. By creating an outreach service, the project will undoubtedly benefit far more children. 

Rogers (aged 14).   His father walked 6 miles to bring him to see the GC team.  Rogers' cerebral palsy means that he has no speech or independent mobility and is therefore unable to access school.  He desperately needed a wheelchair.

Children who would receive therapy and education in special schools in the UK often have no such opportunities in Africa.

Sam.

A serious accident in which he was hit by a truck resulted in a loss of mobility and learning difficulties.  Sue Court measures Sam for a wheelchair/bike which will give much improved independence, freedom and mobility.

Zoe, teacher of the hearing impaired, carries out an assessment of this young girl’s needs. GC local project coordinator, Abraham (left) assists with translation as Dad is given information on deaf awareness and simple strategies to improve communication.

This young girl had been falling behind in class as she could not see her work. A simple magnifier sheet costing less than £2 will transform her situation.

This is Lazarus.  The correct therapy programme would have prevented his disability from deteriorating to this extent.

Occupational Therapist, Sue Court, assesses this little girl's mobility needs.  Her mother will need to follow a range of exercises designed specifically for her.

The team saw over 200 children in 2007 with a wide variety of needs from physical disability to hearing and visual impairment and severe learning difficulties.  They promised wheelchairs to 25 children and set up therapy and educational programmes for many of children. By the summer of 2008, 10 wheelchairs have been supplied and more are being made.

     Parents and children waiting patiently to be seen

The salaries of our local partners  are sponsored by GC supporters and they travel into remote areas to monitor/ set-up programmes and provide a range of services. 

Local partners run parental support groups, deliver therapy and educational programmes and encourage the wider community to support and include families.   They work  in liaison with special needs teachers and therapists in the UK and if outside intervention is needed, a strategy and funding can be agreed upon and provided.  A child with hydrocephalus, for example, was recently referred to the American ‘Cure’ Hospital in nearby Mbale.   New children are coming forward all the time. 

We need 5 more sponsors at the rate of £10 per month to cover costs