Community Based Rehabilitation
When our team first met Gulnar, a six-year-old girl diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) and a suspected case of CHARGE syndrome, she was unable to walk or communicate. Her mother, devoted and eager to help, joined our rehabilitation programme for children with disabilities (CWD) to learn how to support her daughter’s development at home.
For ten weeks, we worked closely with Gulnar and her mother through intensive therapy sessions. During each visit, we provided a homework programme filled with physical exercises and playful communication games designed to help Gulnar grow stronger and more engaged.
After completing the initial programme, Gulnar and her mother continued to attend monthly follow-up sessions, maintaining steady progress. Eight months later, the results are remarkable: Gulnar is now walking with support — holding onto chairs, tables, or her mother’s hand. She uses a communication board to express herself, and her eating and swallowing have greatly improved thanks to consistent speech therapy and the use of special equipment provided through our programme.
But Gulnar’s story doesn’t end there.
Recently, her mother reached out to our team with an urgent message. She was pregnant again and had been told by doctors that there might be complications with the baby. The doctors advised her to have an abortion, and her husband supported that recommendation.
When we met with her to listen and offer support, she shared these moving words:
“Seeing Gulnar growing up, it doesn’t matter to me if there is something wrong with the baby. I love Gulnar, and I will love this baby too. I have peace about the situation, and I don’t want to go through with the abortion.”
Her strength and peace deeply touched our team. Together, we encouraged her to seek a second opinion at one of our partnering medical centres and to have an open conversation with her husband about her decision.
Gulnar’s story shows how our rehabilitation work goes beyond physical progress — it builds trusting relationships with families, enabling them to share their challenges and find hope, courage, and resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Name changed for privacy
Sing Hello
“Fahid, it is your turn to sing!” Our volunteers encourage and then, with a little bit of prompting, Fahid begins to sing for us.
Grateful Families
The parents of these children hosted a celebration to say thank you to our partners who have helped their families.
Never too late to learn!
With the support and help from the staff I learnt how to take care of a child with disability.
Don’t Give Up, There Is Still Hope
After a year of working with her, she is now able to feed herself, shower independently and help with cleaning around the house! When we first started working with her,
“Will we finally move now?”
“Will we finally move now?” The smile on Rania’s face was unmistakable. A combination of elation, joy, and anticipation was reflected in her expression as she entered the room and,
Trading Shame for Acceptance
So these women continue on, persevering on behalf of the children and their community, sharing a love and passion that grows warmer with time and over many more cups of hot tea.
Exploring New Ways of Moving
Yousif, a 4-year-old diagnosed with spina bifida, lay curled up in the corner of the living room floor. The doctors had told his family to give up hope—he was disabled and would remain that way for the rest of his life.
A Family Effort
Perseverance is one of our five key priorities at Operation Mercy. In our city, we often meet children and families who have endured immense hardship — through war,
Showing a New Way
The staff helped Aygul and her colleagues better understand the effects of CP on the children and ways to increase the children’s mobility.
Promoting Inclusion
An annual conference for mainstream school teachers and school transition support services helped promote inclusion in local communities.
Amina, a young girl with speech and cognitive delays,
New Found Confidence
During the last couple of weeks, Ahmed’s gait and posture have significantly improved.
Training for Local Health Care Professionals
Kangaroo care and skin to skin contact between mother and newborn baby – these are vital practices unheard of in the local Kazakh neonatology hospitals.
Healing and Growth
During a wedding in a small local village a large fire broke out!
Growing in Strength and Love
When our team first met Gulnar, a six-year-old girl diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) and a suspected case of CHARGE syndrome, she was unable to walk or communicate.
Empowering Mothers
“It is so important that you know your rights!”
Empowerment and Advocacy
Through the project, Akmal was introduced to a world of possibilities.
Investing in the Future
There are new sounds coming from the centre these days.
What a Difference a Chair Can Make!
Adaptive equipment can make a big difference in a child’s life!
Mothers’ Meeting
Many mothers of children with disabilities live in deep isolation.
The View Changes
After a couple of sessions on the back of a gentle horse, Jamal now rides with a smile on his face.