By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of implementing the second quarter of the 2023 Child Empowerment Program in the country, a program pioneered by the One Family People organization, with support from Liliane Fonds, the Dorothy Springer Trust , a partner organizations of One Family People, has on Saturday 8th July, 2023 supported 170 Children and Young Stars with Disabilities (CYWDs) with transportation fare, toiletries, vocational training equipment etc as well as capacitating parents of Children and Young Stars with Disabilities.
It could be recalled that One Family People Organization, with support from Liliane Fonds, allocated funds to be divided amongst their six partner organizations in the country of which Dorothy Springer Trust is part of.
The support from One Family People to these organizations is geared towards supporting children living with disabilities in the areas of health, education, livelihood and social inclusion using the inclusive development strategy in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of Dorothy Springer Trust, Abdulai Dumbuya, expressed appreciation to One Family People organization and the Liliane Fonds for providing the funds to the organization.
He said that the support is part of their second quarter serving, adding that from January to June 2023 the organization has embarked on several activities which include the condition of needs assessment.
Abdulai Dumbuya said that the needs assessment is very important to the work of the organization as it gives them the opportunity to know the specific needs of the children.
He said that as part of the activity plan the organization is paying for medical for anti-epilepsy medication drugs for 44 children and that the organization also purchase assistive devices (crouches, eye glasses, wheelchairs) etc.
According to him, the organization is providing physiotherapy Diagnoses support for 60 children and is also supporting medical surgery of CYWDs
In the area of education, he stated that they are providing transportation, home care, toiletries, bags, shoes, ties and badges for pre-school, primary and secondary school kids, adding that they are also providing university scholarship for 8 students comprising learning materials, lunch, medical, transportation and internet supports.
He maintained that the organization is also supporting children to access vocational training by paying fees and buying learning materials as well as providing computer training, transportation etc.
The CEO said that the organization also embarks on advocacy and awareness raising in order for children living with disabilities to be accepted and given opportunities in society. He pointed out that the organization as well trains parents on literacy and local financial fund raising in order to support their children after exiting the Child Empowerment Program.
The Senior Social Services Officer at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Alhaji Morlu Kanneh, commended the Dorothy Springer Trust for complementing the work of the Ministry of Social Welfare through their activities, adding that the Ministry cannot do it all but with the support of organizations like Dorothy Springer Trust they are complementing the efforts of the Ministry.
He urged parents and guardians to ensure that the support received from the organization are given to the children with disabilities who are the main beneficiaries.
The Executive Secretary at National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Saa Lamin Kortequee expressed appreciation to the Dorothy Springer Trust for their continuous support towards the development of persons living with the disabilities in the country.
He said that as a Commission they are aware of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities of which he encouraged them to continue to believe in themselves.
Saa Lamin Kortequee maintained that with the support by Dorothy Springer Trust to these children with disabilities it will help towards addressing the challenges faced by these children and their families.
He called on all to see persons with disabilities as very important people in society and they should not be discriminated against in society.
The M & E Officer at One Family People, Sorie Ibrahim Koroma, said in March this year One family People, with support from Liliane Fonds allocated funds to its 6 partner organizations which includes Dorothy Springer Trust to enable them to support the development of children and youngsters with disabilities in the areas of health, education, livelihood and social inclusion using the inclusive development strategy to make their environment accessible.
He pointed out that as an organization they are of the strongest conviction that the support they are providing for the children through their partners have broken barriers and opened doors for them to access basic health and educational facilities, improve livelihoods and enhance social inclusion using the inclusive development strategy, furthering that as a way of achieving the sustainable development goals 2030, One Family People is committed towards creating the enabling environment for an inclusive society where no one is left behind.
Sorie Ibrahim Koroma applauded the Dorothy Springer Trust for a job well done towards the implementation of the program. He further encouraged parents to make good use of the opportunity in supporting their children living with disabilities as part of what the fund is meant for.
Other speakers included the Community Liaison Officer of Freetown Cheshire Home, Gibrill Bangura and representative from the Parent Supporting Group etc .
Closing the ceremony was the official handing over ceremony of the cash transportation and other items to the children accompanied by their parents or guardians.
