News & Events

Sentebale hosts workshop for organisations working with children with disabilities

Nov 2008 - Sentebale hosted a workshop for individuals and organisations working with children with disabilities in Lesotho. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss and agree on priorities for action and a coordinated agenda for children with disabilities across Lesotho. Over 40 people attended the workshop, with a wide representation of organisations including St Angela's Home for physically disabled children, and the Community Rehabilitation Chair of the Department on Health.

The workshop provided an important opportunity for full discussions about the problems facing disabled children in Lesotho, and the organisations who care for them, and how best they can overcome some major problems they face. Following both small and large group discussions it was collectively agreed that the 2004 Child Protection Bill that has been developed, should be passed into law by government urgently. Care facilities for children with severe disabilities, awareness campaigns and training for specialised professionals to care for disabled children were some of the other action points raised.

A representative for The Minister of Health and Social Welfare on Children with Disabilities joined the workshop and made a speech. She acknowledged that Lesotho lacks a proper care system and specialised professionals to care for the country's disabled children. However, she did say that there is a community based rehabilitation programme that the department are developing. This would be run with partners to reach out to people with disabilities within communities; this community focused care means that children needing help will be identified early on and provided with the appropriate care in the future.

The Minister encouraged the efforts of all at the workshop and the coordinated efforts of all involved:

“There is therefore a need to have a coordinated effort between you as stakeholders, government and donors to join hands to reach out for these people. Children are the future nation for this country hence they should have access to education, health, shelter and better care to grow up”.

Letsema newsletters were distributed at the meeting as the Letsema Network Forum is a platform that is going to be used to continue workshop discussions on a regular basis. It was agreed that two task groups would be set up in January 2009 at the Letsema forum to develop an action plan for stakeholders. This will advocate for the Child Protection Bill to be passed, the second group will look at updating the Letsema profiles and needs assessment of all organisationss working with children with disabilities across Lesotho.

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