Community Based Rehabilitation
After living in Central Asia for a year and engaging closely with the local community, I noticed a significant gap in health knowledge. Many people would quickly panic in medical situations simply because they did not know how to respond. For example, if someone fainted, bystanders often felt helpless, unsure of what to do.
Together with our healthcare team, including two nurses, we began thinking about how we could support the community. We wanted to provide knowledge that would not only reduce fear and anxiety but also bring people together and create something sustainable. That is when the idea of a first aid training programme was born—practical, engaging, and easy to replicate.
Since launching the training, we have been invited to different community groups several times, including those for mothers of children with special needs, kindergarten teachers, and mixed groups of people from various backgrounds. The response has been incredible. The interaction during training sessions has been lively, and the hands-on practice has led to a lot of fun and engagement. By the end of each session, people were exchanging phone numbers, strengthening community connections.
One of the most memorable moments for me happened during a break when a participant asked, “Why are you doing this? Why did you come all the way from your home country?” This question was a turning point—an opportunity to share the deep love in our hearts that motivates us to serve.
Through this training, we are not only equipping people with life-saving skills but also fostering a sense of community, trust, and openness. It has been a privilege to see how something as simple as first aid can bring people together and open doors for deeper conversations.
Small Achievements
Since birth, Nurdoolot has lived with a serious condition: intracranial pressure. Doctors discovered a cyst in his brain that is pressing on the area responsible for movement and vision.
Partnership Opens the Way to School
There are many barriers for a child with disability to access education in Tajikistan. Sometimes this barrier is seen in the attitudes of people that think children with disabilities don’t belong in school or should be kept separate from other children.
Not Just Playing Around
This child was 2 ½ years old and had never walked alone before!
Standing Strong
Farhad is a bright seven-year-old and the third child in his family. However, unlike his siblings, he has faced significant challenges since birth due to Cerebral Palsy,
The View Changes
After a couple of sessions on the back of a gentle horse, Jamal now rides with a smile on his face.
Colours of Hope
A new initiative started at the beginning of the year with the aim of training a group of teenage boys with disabilities in practical skills. By learning to repair wheelchairs,
New Found Confidence
During the last couple of weeks, Ahmed’s gait and posture have significantly improved.
Mothers’ Meeting
Many mothers of children with disabilities live in deep isolation.
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.
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.
Truth Boost
In spring 2023 we partnered with another NGO. Their local staff were running a centre in the old city for children with learning disabilities.
They wanted to integrate children with physical disabilities and asked our physical therapist (PT) and our occupational therapist (OT) to work specifically with these children.
Perseverance Brings Progress
Now Rustam can express himself, he is socializing with his peers, and he is participating in the cultural events of the organization. Rustam is ready to go to school!
Full Participation at School
In the summer, our organisation received a request to build a ramp and an accessible toilet at this school to allow the school to accept children with disabilities so that they could socialise and study with their peers.
We Learn Together to Improve Our Lives!
Nazira is a mother of a child with disability, and a new staff of our partner organization. She participated in a training on early intervention for children with hearing and visual impairments.
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.
Schooling Requires Cooperation
Adnan loves school. His mother smiles with pride and says to the Operation Mercy team, “Every day he wants to go to school.” Naturally gifted with a friendly and bold personality,
Each Child is Valuable
“I’ve learnt from you that each child is created by God and valuable, and I want to do my best to love and raise her like you would” she said
Empowering Mothers
“It is so important that you know your rights!”
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.
Partnership for Change
Both organizations continue to work in partnership with the mom and her son and we are seeing positive changes in their lives.