OUR IMPACT

We have been developing our play centered model since 2011, delivering over 90,000 visits to over 700 children during this period. As our delivery continues to grow, and our reach expands, we are pleased to report on the significant impact of our interventions within the communities in which we operate so far. Some examples of positive impact across our key target areas include…

SOCIAL INCLUSION, MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

Over 700 individual children at risk of isolation have enjoyed ongoing access to a fun and nurturing social space where they can play and make friends. Staff and parents have noted considerable change in the wellbeing and confidence of their children attending our play projects. Children who were withdrawn and isolated are now making friends, laughing and enjoying life.

The immense benefit of social inclusion is evident in the case of “S”. S is a young girl from Kenya who has Cerebral Palsy, which causes her to have difficulty walking and using spoken language. Her parents abandoned her as a baby, but she was ‘rescued’ by her grandparents. When we met her, she was living an isolated life in a rural family home with very few resources, no friends or social community. Our Team at the Malanga Inclusion project began visitIng the house and registered her to join the playscheme. She now attends the playscheme where she enjoys singing, dancing and watching other children. Staff have observed incredible improvements in her independence and wellbeing. “S” has made many friends and can even now feed herself and walk, with support.

RIGHTS OF DISABLED CHILDREN

Our playteams work hard to safeguard and uphold the rights of disabled children. Staff members, from playworkers to caretakers, have evolved into powerful advocates for inclusion within their communities.

An example of the importance of advocacy can be shown in the case of “C”. “C’” had been absent from playscheme , so the Malanga Inclusion Project Team visited the home and found C alone and unattended... This was worrying because C does not use spoken language and their home is quite far out in the bush – her parents had left her alone to farm their land. Japhet - Project Director - met with the grandmother to explain the importance of including C at the playscheme, where she can be better supervised and associate with friends. Thanks to the team advocating for her safety and standing up for her right to play, C is no longer left alone all day, but is safely supervised at her local playscheme.

Beyond the walls of our playschemes, we have also seen signs of greater inclusion and representation of disabled people and their families in the wider communities. Whereas previously they were often ostracized and excluded from decision making , we have seen targeted efforts of communities to include disabled people and their families in community life. For example, in Gunjur, The Gambia, our Community Liason- Bue, is often contacted to facilitate representation from the disabled community at important meetings.

EDUCATION

Playschemes provide a safe, stimulating and supportive educational environment for children to learn. Across all projects we have witnessed examples of incredible progress in the development of children accessing our playschemes.

Furthermore, our teams have been working closely with local schools to support them to access education, and stay in school when problems arise. ‘N’ was not attending playschemes after the death of her father. Danno (Play Leader) visited her family and found that she was not attending school because she gets bullied on the way to school. So the team made a plan to keep on collecting N to attend playscheme, and then support her back into school. Danno also made contact with school for advice and to develop a plan for a safe way to reintroduce her back to school. N’s mother told us that ‘Playschemes ae the happiest place for N, a place where she is safe and cared for”.

In certain cases, we have also supported older children from our playschemes to pursue further vocational training, with excellent outcomes. For example, Miriam in the Gambia is being supported to attend a dressmaking course, where she is excelling at her craft and beginning to earn her own livelihood.

MEDICAL SUPPORT

We have delivered over 3,000 medical support visits and over 800 physiotherapy sessions. Working with medical professionals and partner services, our medical support officers work tirelessly to deliver lifesaving medical care, mobility support and surgery.

Buba – the Medical Support Officer (MSO) in The Gambia – recently coordinated orthopaedic surgery for four children. Buba makes sure the after-care is in place – ensuring dressings are replaced and that wounds are kept clean. Then, of course, making sure that the children return to the playscheme when they are able. Buba reports that one child, having recovered from a leg injury, is already cycling to the playscheme.

Our Medical Support teams offer crucial support in identifying a child’s need and helping families to access appropriate support. Abigail, The MSO at the Kawama Inclusion Project, who is a trained nurse from Ndola in Zambia, discovered 3 children with undiagnosed epilepsy. So, she set up appointments for the children and their parents and a range of tests including scans. Abigail also supported parents with practical information and - crucially - reassurance about the management of the condition and connected the families with a local NGO who supplies free epilepsy medication.

PARENT SUPPORT

The most effective way to ensure a disabled child’s wellbeing, is to ensure that their parents are supported , informed and well resourced. We have delivered over 1,500 family support visits, and 900 parent support meetings, making sure that parents feel supported and connected within their communities.

The Case of ‘G’ illustrates how vital the support we provide to families is. ‘G’ is a 10 year old girl with a complex impairment known to the Gunjur Inclusion Project. On a home visit Buba – the Medical Support Officer – found that she was severely malnourished. Her impairment means eating and drinking is difficult, takes a long time and her care is difficult to manage for her mother on her own. When G was discharged the team increased the home visits – as she was too weak to attend playscheme – and increased delivery of food support to make sure mum has enough food. Buba continued to monitor G’s health and make sure the hospital’s advice was followed – especially keeping G hydrated. As well as monitoring the girl’s welfare, the mum needed support and information and not a small amount of encouragement with such a significant task of caring on very few resources. G gained over 10kgs in weight and is now healthy and attending our playschemes.