The Year 2017 is almost drawing to a close and the Special Mothers Project will like to say a big thank you to everybody for your tremendous support this year.
It has not been a smooth sailing year but its been worth every bit of sacrifice to enhance the lives of children with cerebral palsy and their care givers, our focus has been to enhance the lives of families raising children with cerebral palsy.
We believe that if the family is sound that child is sound and safe, we emphasized on the mothers because we all know the huge role a mother plays in the life of a child
Year 2017 was full of fruitful ventures, our collaboration with Multkids Foundation grew even stronger, We also joined other organizations pursing similar cause to form the Ghana Cerebral Palsy Network
A Major highlight in our activities for the year 2017 was the National Cerebral Palsy Conference which brought organizations like the Special Mothers Project, Multikids Foundation, Sweb Foundation, The Presbyterian Inclusive Child Development Programme, Sharecare Ghana, The Special Education Unit to deliberate about the way forward to mainstreaming or including children with cerebral palsy in society.
These organizations also jointly organized the celebration of World Cerebral Palsy Day in Ghana which among others saw the launch of the book “The Unexpected” the Inspirational story that chronicles a mother’s journey of her child with cerebral palsy. This book is available for sale and we do delivery all over the world.
May I mention the visit by Mr Kenneth Nangai, a Physiotherapist from Uganda working with Lilliane Foundation who visited us and endorsed our message of home-based or community based physiotherapy at affordable rate
We also forged partnership with the Ghana Montessori Society with the hope of helping to make Montessori Education in Ghana what it is suppose to be by emphasizing on admitting and supporting children with special needs.
Support
In the year 2017, we supported many families raising children with cerebral palsy through our therapy day session with Multikids Foundation.
We connected some of the mothers to professional counselors and gave support in terms of money or assistive device to some of our member but notable among them was the raising of about1800 Pounds for Nhyira a five year old with cerebral palsy and her family
We also through our advocacy and our platform raised support for Mrs Golda Nunoo-Bio, a mother of four children all with special needs who attempted to commit suicide due to frustrations.
Golda has now with the Support of the Presbyterian Inclusive Child Development services completed a training in beads making and accessories. Two of her children are also going to be enrolled in school with the support of the Special Education Unit of the Ghana Education Service
special mothers project
Looking Ahead…2018
In the Year 2018, our advocacy is even going to be stronger; we will be focusing on inclusion, and will need your support.
We will continue the media advocacy but will also be glad if you invite us to your church meetings, social gatherings and other social activities to talk about cerebral palsy and how you can be involved. Yes you have a role to play and we are counting on you
We will continue facilitating the With God Cerebral Palsy Centre and the Impact Care and Rehab Foundation, our aim is to help these centres to be as inclusive as possible. To move from a point where they are seen as just housekeeping for children with disability to vibrant inclusive educational centres.
We will be working toward making the Madina Unit School a resource centre where the Appropriate Paper Technology Equipment are made and taught interested persons
We are going to groom and train young ladies to develop careers around caring for or supporting children with Special needs. The project will thus to recruiting a maximum of five young people to be trained as Special Needs Care assistants who will work with families.
The recruits will be trained in handling children with cerebral palsy with focus on posturing and basic physiotherapy. These recruits will support families at an affordable fee
We will also be available to share ideas with educational facilities who are ready to embrace inclusion and accept children with Special needs more especially cerebral palsy
We will deepen partnership with the Ghana Montessori Society and facilitate the training of mothers who may be interested in learning the Montessori curricula and training
Acknowledgement
We did what we did with the support of many individuals and organization, I may not be able to list everybody but permit me to mention a few Amanda Budge of the Multikids Foundation has been amazing, Madam Giselle Lindsay, Ama Boahemaa Ahene, Margaret Glover, Human Resource Manager,Shop N Save Supermarket, please the Special Mothers Project has some boxes on their tills do drop in your contribution when you shop there.
Blue Skies Company Limited for refreshing us at one of our meetings, Dels Foundation, Mending Minds and Bereavement Support, Mmofra place
A special mention to Ms Patience Puplampu, she kept it going when I was on maternity leave
Media Support
The Special Mothers Project enjoyed tremendous support from The Finder Newspaper’s Editor Mr Elvis Darko, The Editorial team at the Ghana News Agency, Mohammed Suleman of the Public Agenda Newspaper, GBC both radio and TV, special mention to Fanny Nana Asamoah, Gloria Anderson, TV3, Portia Solomon Gabor, Thomas Addotei Pappoe, Esi Benewaa, Peter Adattor
Further Support
You can support the Special Mothers Project by inviting us to give an education on cerebral palsy in your organization, or at your church meeting or social event. We will come along with copies of the book The Unexpected for sale
You may also donate to :
Special Mothers Project
GN Bank Adentan Branch
1024122400001
Or Special Mothers Project
ADB, Ring Road Central Branch
1011010126145301
Mobile Money Account -+233-549114870
SIGNED
Hannah Awadzi
Executive Director
Special Mothers Project