How was the unit started?
In the year 2010, leaders of Veerayatan Kenya and Young Jains Nairobi came across children with cerebral palsy who were brought by parents to Dr Ribeiro Parklands Primary school, which had formed a special unit for these children. The helplessness which they could see, both physically and in the eyes of the children, inspired the leaders to do something to make a difference.
Imagine a child who wants to say something to you but is unable to come out with the correct words let alone sentences, a little hand that is trying to hold but the muscles simply are not strong enough, and a child trying to walk but the legs are just so weak. Unsurprisingly, the children and their parents lose hope and just give up…….
Background of the children being cared for at the Unit
Most of the parents of these children live in absolute abject poverty; for some even to afford one meal a day is almost impossible, so to think about hiring a therapist and paying public transport to bring these children to school is not an option. Such a dire situation.
Achievements over the years
- High quality balanced diet meals served daily
- Employed 5 full time physiotherapist and occupational therapists
- Employed 12 full time caregivers
- Employed a full-time activity therapist who trains children using games, play, music and artwork
- Purchasing modern therapy equipment
- Maintenance and renovations of classrooms and therapy department
- Employed a fulltime manager who coordinates all the programs and daily running of the centre.
- Worked with surgeons at MP Shah Hospital and 16 children have been successfully operated on leading to great improvements.
Therapy Department
As cerebral palsy cannot be cured, variety of therapies is needed to help maximize their abilities and physical strength, prevent complications, and improve their quality of life. Development of the therapy department by Veerayatan Kenya and Young Jains Nairobi is a key milestone. Not just a building but a building equipped with modern facilities. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy are provided to all children on a daily basis, which is such an amazing achievement.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is food for soul for children in the CP Unit. Every Monday, the children are entertained with live music and this has created a strong bond among the children. This must be their happiest hour with dancing and singing!
Porridge Program
Veerayatan Kenya and Young Jains Nairobi, in partnership with Shree Navnat Vanik Mahjan and Shree Sthanakvasi Jain Sangh, have instituted a porridge feeding program for all the 900 plus students of Dr. Ribeoro Parklands Primary Schools who come from low income families from the outskirts of Nairobi and from slum areas. Most of these children come to school in the morning on an empty stomach as they only get daily meal in the evening before they go to sleep. So, porridge is served daily to everyone at the school, all the students and also all the staff!
The sweet tasting porridge has brought smiles and joy to all the children in the school. Besides that, the school has achieved high levels of concentration in class because the nutritious porridge keeps their stomachs filled for most part of the day.
Such amazing selfless transformational work being carried out!
