The Terre des hommes (Tdh) Foundation with headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the largest Swiss children’s aid organization operating outside Switzerland. For 40 years, the movement has been active wherever children are in need. The movement follows the Charta of its founder, Edmond Kaiser, pledging to provide direct and un bureaucratic assistance to children in distress, wherever they may be. Resolute commitment and long-term experience have led to Terre des hommes today playing a leading role in the field of humanitarian aid at an international level. With emergency action and long-term projects, Terre des hommes is fighting for children’s rights in 30 countries, practicing a strict policy of political, ideological and religious neutrality.
In 2008, over 96,000 persons benefited from Tdh’s help in Nepal. More than 12,000 children were cared for individually. Tdh continued to be closely associated with the Hospital for Children with disabilities. It provided 1,128 children with operative treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up care. A study confirmed the profound social impact the hospital and community-based rehabilitation has on children, families and communities. Our nutrition and psychosocial programs expanded with the construction of 2 child development centers, expansion to 2 wards in Kathmandu and a new project in 20 brick factories. In 4 districts, 713 children received psychosocial counseling. A strong partnership with Unicef resulted in a landmark report on inter-country adoption. For detailed Annual Report 2008, please click here.
Towards a Full and Decent Life
A Study of the Social Impact of Intervention provided by
the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children (HRDC
Can children with disabilities lead a full and decent life? The study ‘Towards a Full and Decent Life’, conducted by The Friends of the Disabled with support from The Foundation Terre des hommes Nepal and others, shows that institutional and community based treatment and rehabilitation helps children with disabilities and their families to build a better future.
"The Minister of Health of the Republic of Nepal joined social activists, doctors, medical students, hospital staff and persons with disabilities on 13 January at the event jointly organised by Terre des hommes and HRDC. The Minister officially launched a study on the social impact of the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children (HRDC). The results of this study demonstrate that the HRDC and its operational and funding partners should be encouraged by the positive social impact of the institutional and community-based treatment. The overwhelming impression from in-depth interviewees indicates that HRDC inpatient treatment makes a positive and lasting impression on both children and families.
The study looks at the social impact of treatment and rehabilitation provided by the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children (HRDC) within the framework of Article 23 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It establishes whether children treated at the HRDC enjoy a fuller level of social integration and functioning than their peers who have either not received treatment and rehabilitation or who have sought treatment and rehabilitation from other sources.
The results of this study demonstrate that the HRDC and its operational and funding partners should be encouraged by the positive social impact of the institutional and community-based treatment. The overwhelming impression from in-depth interviewees indicates that HRDC inpatient treatment makes a positive and lasting impression on both children and families.
Some of the findings and recommendations:
Higher levels of independence: The study reveals that HRDC treated children have an average of 25% higher level of functional independence than their control group peers. Acquiring functional independence as a result of treatment and rehabilitation minimises children’s experience of functioning as passive receivers and reinforces the social and psychological potential for confidence and self belief to flourish.
Great progress in access to education - Children treated at the HRDC record an 83% school attendance which represents a massive increase (27%) since 2001. These figures stand as concrete indicators of behavioural change.
Employment remains a far cry - Despite some positive indications on the overall sustainability of HRDC family incomes, comparatively few youth living with disability achieve the dignity and status that comes from formal, recognised employment. HRDC should forge a leadership role in advocating training and education for disabled children as well as extending its remit on disability prevention and policy development.
Community based rehabilitation needs expansion - With investment of decentralised outreach and Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) service resources, many more children will benefit from early intervention. There is the need for the HRDC to increase the number of CBR workers, hold more frequent mobile camps, create service centres in Nepal’s five development regions and extend CBR worker networking with disabled peoples’ organizations.
The study proves that there is an emerging picture of the HRDC child’s greater integration into the fabric and activities of family life, thereby laying the foundation for more successful social integration as the child grows into adulthood.
The recommendations of the study will contribute to strengthening the contribution of HRDC and other players so that children with physical disabilities can indeed lead a full and decent life.
Contacts
Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children/Friends of the Disabled (HRDC)
P.O.Box: 6757, Kathmandu, Nepal
Telephone: 00977-11-661666, 661888
Facsimile: 00977-11- 661777
Email: hrdc@wlink.com.np / adminhrdc@ntc.net.np
Website: http://www.hrdcnepal.org |
Terre des hommes Foundation, Lausanne, Switzerland
P. O. Box: 2430, Kathmandu, Nepal
Telephone: 00977-1-5555348, 5523929
Facsimile: 00977-1-5532558
Email: delegate@wlink.com.np / tdhnepal@wlink.com.np
Website: http://www.tdhnepal.org &
http://www.childtrafficking.com |
