Amina now feels like a member of the community

Disability is both a cause and consequence of poverty. The International Monetary Fund (2007) estimates that, in Togo, the needs of 98% of all people with disabilities are not met, and about 50% - nearly 323,000 - are under 18.

Since 2006, Plan’s ‘Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) for Children with Disabilities’ project, funded by Irish Aid, has been sensitising communities on disability and its causes to enhance the lives of boys and girls living with disabilities.

Plan Togo works with the communities to produce posters, short documentaries, brochures and television programs which raise awareness to help reduce marginalisation and discrimination of children with disabilities. 

Apprenticeships

Hundreds of professionals receive ongoing training from Plan Togo and partner organisations, such as ENVOL, to help build the capacity of communities and service providers to prevent disabilities and support children living with them.

Training is also given to skilled workers so they can offer apprenticeships to children with disabilities, helping them integrate into society.

In the communities, volunteers receive training on disabilities, children’s rights, basic physiotherapy and how to manage epilepsy. They administer care or refer the children to better equipped centres where necessary – in the Tchaoudjo district alone, the project has allowed 356 children to be consulted with a team of doctors.

A member of the community

This was the case for Amina, who needed an operation on her feet. Like the majority of children with a disability in Togo, Amina has had a difficult and dejected childhood. She was born with a clubfoot and suffers from epilepsy. According to the CBR volunteers, she was neglected by her family because she was a burden for them and couldn’t help out with the housework.

After her operation, which has enabled her to walk, Amina feels like a member of the community: “Now I feel like the other children,” she said with a smile. 

Changing attitudes

One community volunteer said: “I noticed that most parents in our community, just like Amina’s, used to think there was no way of helping children with disabilities. Now, they’ve changed their attitude thanks to the awareness raising sessions and concrete results the project has produced. Parents now take part in CBR activities and awareness raising to help others change their minds too.”

“Now I’m convinced that we can help children with disabilities to blossom, and we parents have an important role to play,” said Amina’s mother.