Support for children with disabilities in Egypt

Plan is focusing its attention on the needs of children with disabilities in Egypt, after its research showed that there is no community-based services for these children in the area where it works.

Children with disabilities are being socially included

There are only very few programmes that are available for people with disabilities, but they are institutional, city-based and not free, making them inaccessible to the majority of those with disabilities. In Egypt 3.4% of the population are classified as having a disability, with approximately 25% of the population affected indirectly, as family members and care givers of a disabled person.

The World Bank estimates that people with disabilities may account for as many as one in five of the world’s poor.  Disability exacerbates poverty by placing additional strain on families both emotionally and financially. As many as 50% of disabilities are preventable and directly linked to poverty, estimates the World Health Organisation, with poor nutrition, dangerous working and living conditions, limited access to vaccination programmes, health and maternity care, poor hygiene, sanitation and inadequate information about the causes of impairments, all directly causing disability.

Plan’s programme

In partnership with other international aid and health organisations, Plan is coordinating a pilot programme which focuses upon the importance of the need of the family and the community to support those with disabilities, the project also aims to empower people with disabilities through inclusion and by protecting their rights.

Mohamed, 15, is one of the many children who have benefited from the programme. Unable to hear or talk, he felt lonely and without any friends, both him and his mother suffered from harassment from neighbours and relatives. His mother said after joining the project; “He became very sociable and active. Now, he has many friends and has learnt a lot of new things. Because he has artistic talent, he participated in decorating the school. I became involved with the project as a volunteer and it has allowed me to express my feelings, the project is now part of my daily life.”

Through training and weekly activities the project is having a positive impact on children with disabilities and their families. Families are gaining an understanding and practice on how to deal with disability related issues, such as; how to create a suitable environment, deal with the child in different situations (at home, school, on the street etc) and how to ensure that they are included as part of society.

Amr is another success story. Suffering from a severe disability in hearing, Plan was able to provide him with a pair of hearing aids, which has allowed him to play musical instruments and participate in social occasions, such as weddings.

Many have acquired significant daily life skills

Summer camps have also proved to be a beneficial way of encouraging inclusion within the community and gave participating children a good opportunity to practice daily life skills. An increased number of mothers now know how to continue helping their children at home and are actively participating in social events and are not as isolated as before.

Mohamed Fathy, 6, suffers from speech difficulties. A participant in the programme from the beginning, he has since learned to speak and has joined the 1st elementary school, his mother says; “My son’s health has improved and now he has become able to recognise us and play with his siblings. Now he has many friends and he is already enrolled in a normal school.” Like many family members, his mother is a volunteer with the project and keen to help other children like her son.

The project is expected to run until 2008, and its success has allowed the majority of children with disabilities involved acquire significant daily life skills, and the positive effect has enabled many, especially those with a mild or medium degree of disability, to become independent of their family and carers.

The achievements so far

In the past year, the project has:

• Raised awareness through sessions and events focusing on issues relating to disabilities and  children's rights,
• Provided specialised training for community volunteers, health professionals, teachers and parents,
• Distributed leaflets, brochures, booklets and manuals to educate communities about disabilities,
• Provided recreational activities including sports, social and educational activities, alongside camps, to help include people with disabilities and their families in their community.