PROJECT ACTIVITY REPORT
Project Name:SANDEMA COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION PROGRAMME
Project Number: 1581
Reporting Period:JANUARY –DECEMBER 2009
Submitted by:PROJECT COORDINATOR
(MAXWELL AKANDEM)
Date of Submission:15TH JANUARY 2010
- Important political and socio-economic developments in the project, which have a specific relevance to the implementation of the Project Strategy
1.1.Developments/set backs?
The 2010 government budget has established a composite budget under the educational sector to cater for the needs of children with disabilities in regular schools and special schools to enhance their educational pursuits.
Another important political and socio-economic development worth mentioning is the distribution of the free school uniform to all schools in the country. Hence, children with disabilities would benefit from the package.
In addition, the government Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program is on–going. With regards to its implementation a current total number of 20 PWD’s have benefited from the conditional social cash transfer system meant for extreme poor households who have either no alternative means of meeting their subsistence needs or limited productive capacity.(elderly poor, persons with severe disabilities amongst others).
It is important to note that the government has increased the number of first circle schools to benefit from the capitation grants and school feeding program as part of its pro-poor policies to increase school enrolments in deprived communities to have access to formal education. Under this policy government would absorb school fees and also provide a meal (lunch) for pupils at Basic school level throughout the country.
The government is currently sampling relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as vibrant organizations of persons with disabilities at regional and district levels to constitute the disability council at each level to facilitate the implementation of the Disability Law (Act 715).
The government has re-packaged its National Youth Employment Program to ensure that people employed under the scheme are transited well into a permanent employment structure within government or private institutions. In view of this package, the project is liaising up with District Assemblies to ensure that persons with disabilities with productive skills are employed to uplift their economic fortunes and standard of living.
1.2.What is your recommendation/strategy to address the challenge(s)/opportunity (ies)?
The Special Education officer is in strategic position at the Ghana Education Service department to ensure that Children with Disabilities in
regular Schools and special schools benefit from the government’s pro-poor policies to enhance their learning and understanding levels.
Issues on the LEAP program, the district implementation committee has appointed one of the program officers as a field enumerator to identify persons with severe disabilities without productive capacity to also benefit from the program.
With regard to the establishment of the regional and district disability councils, the project would be an automatic member because it has gained some substantial amount of recognition as a result of the positive impacts the project has made over the years in the field of disability.
The project is currently compiling list of PWD’s who are with productive skills/requisite qualification for possible employment in 2010 under the National Youth Employment program.
- Programme Development
2.1.Major general developments in the field of our mandate as per logic of the “CBR Matrix”?
2.1.1.Health
2.1.2.PROMOTION
As part of measures to create awareness on health promotion issues, the project in collaboration with the District Health Directorate Team organised five (5) community durbars to sensitize community members, traditional leaders and some vulnerable groups on certain crucial health epidemics. During the health promotional talks the following salient topics were discussed: HINI Pandemic, malaria control measures, environmental sanitation measures, social determinants of health, links between physical health and mental health.
2.1.3. PREVENTION
The prevention of childhood disability program which focuses on prevention issues has gained its roots firmly within the operational area with all stakeholders playing their respective roles at each interventionary level to prevent disabilities.
It is heart-warming to note that during the year, 1000 children received various forms of preventive interventions; these interventions comprise of the school health program/ Ear assessment 395, school eye screening 63 and multi-displinary team screening 542.
The rationale behind the multi-displinary team was to create an venue for every single child to be consulted/screened by different medical specialist on a visit. The team consist of the following: Physiotherapist, ophthalmic nurse, audiology technician and psychiatrist. The team visited post-natal/child welfare clinics and some selected basic schools.
Another important exercise that took place to facilitate smooth implementation of the prevention program is the general survey and in-depth interview to ascertain the realities on the ground. A comprehensive report has been documented and series of follow ups made to various communities and homes.
In addition, two separate capacity development workshops have been organised for program officers, field volunteers and parents of children with cerebral palsy.
Attached is a detailed report on prevention of childhood disability program.
2.1.4 MEDICAL CARE
With respect to medical care, eye work, ear work, orthopaedic and mental healthare classified under this sub-component. The detail activities is spelled out below.
Eye work
During the period under consideration, the Regional Directorate of Ghana Health Services posted an ophthalmic nurse to the district hospital. This move was initiated by the coordinator of the Bawku Eye department and the leadership of the project. The nurse has since been collaborating well with the project staff to provide quality eye care to the populace within the operational area.
Under the outreach programs, a total number of 82 community outreaches were organized within the catchment area. The outreach activities were carried out in the following communities: Kanjarga, Fumbisi, Seniesi, Doninga, Wiaga, Chuchuliga, Kadema, Mayoro, Chiana, Katiu,Kayoro, Mirigu and Kologo. A total number of 1,831 people were screened and out of this number 250 underwent cataract surgery and have regained their sight and doing well in their respective field of endeavours. The rest of the 1,581 had minor conditions and were treated, however, a few were asked to report periodically for re-examination and observation.
Another important activity worth mentioning under eye work is the establishment of a school health program. During the period a total of 11 primary schools were visited and a total number of 605 children were screened, out of this number 68 had conjunctivivitis 18 had allergies and 35 had minor conditions and 484 had no problem.
EAR WORK (AUDIOLOGY)
With respect to ear work the project continued to liaise up with the Bawku hospital audiology unit to provide ear screening to school pupils in 12 first cycle schools in the Builsa, Kassena-Nankane East and West districts. A total number of 937 school children were screened, out of this number 43Ohad wax, 73 had acute otitis media and 20 had chronic otitis media. However, 392 had no problem. It is important to note that the children who were diagnosed with chronic otitis and acute otitis media received appropriate medication. However, those identified with wax had their ears washed with hydrogen peroxide. During the exercise 12children had hearing loss/ profound deafness and were referred to special schools and 10had moderate hearing loss and would be transferred to the ear assessment centre for hearing aids early next year.
ORTHOPAEDIC\PHYSIOTHERAPY WORK
The Nsawam and Bawku orthopaedic units have been very serviceable to the project. The two teams during their outreach programme, provided review services to clients in five service points: Chiana, Sandema, Fumbisi, Sirigu and Navrongo.
A total of 248cleints attended the review sessions and 20 were identified for orthopaedic surgery but 17 successfully underwent surgery at the Bawku orthopaedic hospital whereas one complicated hip case also underwent surgery in Dua-nyankwanta hospital bringing the total number of operated cases to 18 for the year. The two teams in their routine rounds referred 34 clients for home based physiotherapy training. However the total number of clients receiving daily range of motion exercises was 154 and out of this number 121 have seen tremendous improvements in their conditions as result of the follow-up trainings.
MENTAL HEALTH WORK
In the field of mental health, a total of 1,165 persons continue to receive counselling and medication services from the community psychiatric nurse, assisted by program officers and community volunteers. Indeed, the field staffs as well as the volunteers have been very proactive in this direction. From the above figure, 542 clients are receiving antiepileptic drugs, 220 receiving antidepressive drugs and 403 receiving antipsychotic drugs.
It is pertinent to note that during the year under review, the mental health clients were privileged to have access to the services of a psychiatrist on quarterly basis throughout the year. This quarterly visitation program was initiated by Basic Needs – Ghana to enhance the quality of medical care.
REHABILITAION
Under rehabilitation work, 834 clients received various forms of training to enable them re-adjust and to function more effectively in their respective field of endeavours. These clients are receiving training in the following disciplines: orientation and mobility training, daily living skills and home based physiotherapy training.
ASSISTIVE DEVICES
A total number of 45 physically impaired clients received different kinds of assistive devices as a measure to correct/ improve upon their functioning levels. The devices include the following: 20 white canes, 5 cerebral palsy chairs, 6 hand splints, 11 calipers/shoes and 3 walkers.
2.1.3.Education
The educational component of the project has made some positive strides in the following sub structures.
2.1.4 Early Childhood Development
Under early childhood development, a total number of 15 children within the ages of 0-6 with special needs have been identified and enrolled into kindergaten/ nursery level to enable them attain formal education in the mainstream schools.
2.1.5 Non-Formal
A total number of 39 PWD’s received training in basic skills on numeracy and reading in collaboration with Non Formal Education Division of Ghana Education Service to improve upon their literacy levels and communications skills.
2.1.5 Formal Including Primary
374 Children With Disabilities (CWD’s) are in the primary school level, out of this, 224 are in the integrated system whereas 150 are in the special schools to obtain formal education.
2.1.6 Secondary and Higher
With regard to secondary and higher education the project can boast of 53 youngsters who are pursuing secondary and higher education. Out of this 2 are in the training college,3 in university, 2 in polytechnic, 1 in technical institute and 45 in senior secondary high.
2.1.7 Life Long Learning
Under lifelong learning, 24 PWD’s continue to receive home based schooling activities from the special education officer and program officers as well as some volunteers as a measure to improve upon their literacy levels.
2.1.4.Livelihood
2.1.5Skills Development
19 PWD’s are currently undergoing various kinds of skills development training as it were to equip them with sustainable employable skills for future self employment. Out of this number 3 are receiving skill training in Garu CBR centre, 10 undergoing apprenticeship training in dress making, 4 under hair dressing, and 2 receiving training in craft activities.
2.1.6 Income Generation/Self Employment
It is refreshing to note that, during the period under review, 868 PWD’s were engaged in various income generation/ self employment activities to boost their individual economic fortunes and standard of living. These clients are engaged in the following category of economic activities: animal rearing 107, food processing 547 and income generation 214. It is important to note that all were partly supported by the following development partners: CBM, BasicNeeds and Presbyterian World Services and Development of Canada.
2.1.7 Financial Services
In the area of financial services, the project within the year linked six (6) self-help groups to the Builsa Community Bank to facilitate financial accessibility to credit and the entire groups have opened bank accounts.
Another important development concerning financial services/support that is worth mentioning is financial assistance from other development partners such as BasicNeeds who supported two mental health self-help groups with an amount of Ten thousand seven hundred and fifty Ghana cedis. The Presbyterian World Services and Development supported some PWD’S livelihood and HIV/AIDS activities with Twelve thousand Ghana cedis, Liliane Fonds supported orthopaedic surgery/financial support for youngsters in tertiary institutions with an amount of Sixthousand Ghana cedi. ISODEC also assisted the Sandema organisation of persons with disabilities with One thousand sevenhundred and fifty Ghana cedis. The Builsa District Assembly has been very supportive in the area of providing financial support to cater for transportation cost of children in special schools.
2.1.8 Employment
It is gratifying to note that, during the year, two physically disabled youngsters were employed in government establishments after completing the Teacher Training College and the polytechnic respectively. The polytechnic graduate has been employed as an accountant with Ghana Health Services and the training college graduate also engaged as a professional teacher. Currently they are living up to expectation in their respective field of engagements and very excited with their present elevations.
2.1.9 Social Protection
A total number of 20 PWD’s benefitedfrom the Livelihood Enpowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) which is one of the strategies of the National Social Protection Strategy policies of government. Under the Leap program beneficiaries would be receiving a conditional cash transfer on monthly basis to cater for their needs and aspirations.
Another social protection strategy which has benefited majority of PWD’s within the operational area is the National Health Insurance Scheme which offers free registration for persons with disabilities within the operational area.
In addition, 224 children with disabilities in the regular schools have benefited from the school feeding program and capitation grant which is also a social protection policy in their community schools.
2.2.1 Social
Under social activities the following strides have been chalked.
Relationship /Marriage and Family:
The program officers continued to provide counselling services to family members and PWD’s to enhance peaceful co-existence at family level. It is important to note that, the project has established social support systems at the community and family levels to facilitate positive relationship amongst families and their PWD’s.
In addition during the year six PWD’s got partners and living happily together in their marriages.
Culture Religion and Arts
The project continued to encourage PWD’s to participate in culture religion and arts activities at all levels as a measure to enhance social integration. It is therefore against this back drop that two OPWD’s in Sandema and seniesi have form a cultural and musical group which has become a source of entertainments for their communities.
Sports Recreation and Leisure.
Under sports the project has established two foot ball teams made up of PWD youngsters in the Builsa and Kassena Nankeni districts. These football teams have been a source of enlightenment to community members whenever they are in the field training and playing football.
Access to Justice
With regard to access to justice, the program officers, community volunteers and the support of community development committee members, PWD’s are always aided to access justice whenever their rights are being trampled upon.
In the last quarter of the year a piece of land acquired by the DPO’s in Fumbisi was confiscated and resold to another person. The programme officer together with community development committee members took the case to the police and subsequently to the Commission of Human Rights Administration Justice and a new land was allocated to them.
2.1.5.Empowerment
Social Mobilisation:
The project continues to mobilise community members and chiefs in their respective areas of jurisdiction to support current structures of the project such as OPWD’s, CDC’s.
During the period, the project mobilise 12 communities to organised community dubars to sensitize community members on certain crucial health issues.
As a result of effective social mobilisation both government and institutions continue to mobilise resources and to mainstream disability issues in their planning process.
Political Participation:
A total number of 7 PWD’s are occupying various political positions and contributing towards the decisions making process in their social organisations. Out of the above number 1 PWD in the Chuchuliga community is the current Zonal chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party and 6 other PWD’s are holding key positions as church leaders.
Self –Help Groups:
Under self help groups, a total number of 5 new self help groups have been formed within the year. These groups include 3 mental Health self help groups and two mother’s club of children with cerebral palsy. This brings the number of self helps groups to 27 in the operational area. These groups continue to receive capacity building training in group dynamics to facilitate them function effectively.
Organisation of People with Disabilities:
During the assessment year, a total of 2 new OPWD’s have been formed bringing the total number of OPWD’s to 30 which are currently operating successfully. In addition, OPWD’s received various training packages such as group dynamic, leadership roles, procedures\ guidelines during meetings.
It is important to note that during the year one of our development partners Action on Disability and Development organised a two day workshop for the women’s wing of the blind as a measure to build their capacities and to increase their knowledge on the United Nation convention on the rights of people with disabilities.