Helping children with disabilities fulfil their potential.
Aim
Physiotherapy and Outreach Program Lesotho (POP Lesotho) aims to provide children with disabilities in Lesotho with the support and opportunities they need to help them fulfil their potential.
We achieve this by:
Capacity building with caregivers in the community
Empowering caregivers with physiotherapy skills training, health care knowledge and advice
Supporting children with disabilities in education
Providing children with disabilities with assistive equipment using Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT)
Purchasing and recycling of wheelchairs
Physiotherapy & Outreach
Physiotherapy, health care training and education for children and care givers in the community
Assistive Technology
Devices and equipment which can help children achieve a higher level of function, independence and mobility.
Using Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT), POP Lesotho makes assistive furniture using recycled cardboard.
POP Lesotho purchases, recycles, repairs and maintains wheelchairs for children with disabilities.
A small selection of posterior walkers & crutches are available on loan for those children needing assistance with walking with such a device
Enabling Environments
Improving access to education, supporting opportunities in mainstream schooling and creating positive attitudes towards children with disabilities.
Challenges include poor infrastructure, difficulty accessing education, lack of assistive equipment and opportunities.
Impact
1) Child Assessments: Assessed over 300 children with disabilities across Maseru, Leribe, and Botha Bothe districts.
2) APT Workshop: Established a workshop in 2023, funded by the British High Commission.
3) APT Device Production: Trained staff to produce low-cost Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT) devices using recycled cardboard. 120 APT devices produced between 2023-2024
4) Wheelchair and Walker Support: Purchased, repaired, and maintained over 100 wheelchairs and provided 10 specialized posterior walkers over the last 20 months.
5) School Infrastructure Improvements: Built pathways at Ha Seleso Primary and Abia High School.
6) Sports and Physiotherapy Programs: Delivered regular physiotherapy, fitness, and sport sessions for children with disabilities at Ha Seleso and Abia High School.
7) Cerebral Palsy Awareness: Raised awareness of cerebral palsy through teacher training and provision of assistive equipment.
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