Eight Day Contact Program for Parents

In February 2005

One of the first projects we are planning together with our German pyhsiotherapists, the social workers of the Namgyal Institute, the doctors and the staff of the Moravian Mission School is an eight-day-long seminar for parents and their handicapped children. Ten parents (dads and moms) and their children are invited - all together 30 people plus all the staff.

The goals of the meeting are following:

We want to encourage each family to observe the specific needs and possibilities of their disabled child, to understand the basic principles of therapy needed, and then to look for ways to adapt the therapy to the child’s and family’s daily life. They learn by doing.
To answer the questions of the parents and encourage them. We want them to understand not only what they are doing but why they are doing it.
Find out what type of aids would work for the children (wheelchairs, sitting aids etc.)
To further the social integration of the child into the villages.

How are going to reach those goals?

Doctors and physiotherapists will be there to teach and, together with the parents, they will take a close look at the children and their disability and show them the basics of individual therapy.
Inform about hygiene, health, nourishment and education.
Written and drawn instruction material will be handed out (like the parents book we are printing).
Various kinds of aids will be presented, tested and created (like Rigzin Angmos special chair). There are very talented and resourceful craftsmen in Leh and in the villages who are able to build very functional aids for the children.

The parents will not only find out what type of handicap their children have (and that it is not contagious as many of them believe), but also what chance and possibilities their children have. They shall be encouraged and enabled to cope with the problems of daily life and use the social structures of their villages for support.

It is planned to integrate the disabled children into the public school system as possible. We want to encourage village leaders to improve paths and entrances to schools and public places. Local people are to understand the basic principles of disabilities and avoid common mistakes for effective community rehabilitation.

With this project we pioneer the first of its kind in Ladakh. For this reason the preparations are very carefully thought about. The parents will take the information back into the remote areas and will open the doors for further help for the disabled.

Costs for an eight day contact program for parents (30 persons approx.) in Feb. 2005:

1. 5 Kerosene heaters for accommodation heating	1180	Euros
2. Kerosene Oil for the period	70	Euros
3. Food Items	580	Euros
4. Stationary	100	Euros
5. Gifts for the children at the end of the program	60	Euros
Total of the above	1990	Euros