The view of the horizon from the CBR window is changing. As new life sprouts up and lurches forward around the CBR Center and throughout the villages, these volunteers look up and forwards toward a relational landscape that is changed from within.
Samuel* entered the world with cerebral palsy. When he was about 12 years old, his family sent him to stay at the state institution for children with disabilities.
It is easy to think about development work only in terms of improving physical aspects of a community like economics or health. However, transformational development also means coming along-side the poor to help them spiritually and socially.
The view of the horizon from the CBR window is changing. As new life sprouts up and lurches forward around the CBR Center and throughout the villages,
The wheelchair has not only contributed to Amir’s improvement physically, but emotionally and psychologically as well.
She encouraged the younger girl to keep trying with the horse. Lisa received the encouragement, and her perseverance paid off.
“It was my dream to be able to stand up on my own feet,” she said. “And now, my dream has come true thanks to Operation Mercy.”
“For many years this has been a dream of mine and now it is happening! It is because God loves us that he sent you to us.”
Most importantly, hope is present for Hamidjon because he has a loving mother, who, through our project, is able to experience support and acceptance, receive counselling and process her grief.
Amina has grown in her capacity to advocate for children with disabilities, to encourage other mothers, and now has grown in confidence to share her knowledge and experience with the social assistance workers too.
“This community has helped my son to improve not only physically, but also mentally.”
“Imagine our project in five years. What do you think it will look like then?”
The community based rehabilitation project in Rudaki provides early intervention and rehabilitation for children with disabilities and support for their parents.
Corner chairs and walking frames are essential tools for the rehabilitation of children with disabilities and for increasing their quality of life. The training was aimed specifically at how to make these assistive devices.
“The joy and the friendship of these two boys, one having a disability and the other not, is one small step… that can hopefully start a giant leap in the direction of building an inclusive community.”
After seven years in the programme, Aizada rides more independently, no longer limps, and is able to attend school.
Meeting Umed encouraged us in our decision to include lessons in skills learning in our disability project for this year and hopefully to continue this into the next.
Sitora is a 5-year girl with Down Syndrome. She is the third child in the family and when her mother does housework, Sitora tries to imitate her activities.
One of our desires is to help families care for their children with disabilities, and we are so glad to see the growth in Rich!
When nationwide shut-down for Covid-19 hit Kyrgyzstan, Nurgul knew she had to find something for the special education teachers she leads to do. So she turned the work furlough into a massive training time.
“The most beautiful thing is the big smile on his face.”