GHANA
Harmony Disability Centre
GHANA: Harmony Disability Centre
Background.
The Budburan Camp in Ghana, established in 1990, is home to Liberian refugees who escaped the war in their native country. They include children with disabilities and special needs, who face many challenges such as social stigma, discrimination, lack of support, language barriers and living in crowded places. Children with cerebral palsy and related developmental disabilities are locked up indoors for fear of stigma.
A group of Liberian refugee volunteers, led by the Project Director, saw the need in 2002 and identified children with disabilities. Harmony Disability Centre (Harmony) was organized in 2003. It became the meeting place for all the disabled community, including women and girls, where they discussed related issues and participated in activities and training.
Mission and Objectives.
Our mission is to provide a safe and caring environment for children with disabilities and special needs, where they can learn and grow. Our objectives are:
- To make life better for children with disabilities to reduce discrimination by providing comprehensive care.
- To support parents and caregivers by offering skills training to improve the quality of life for the whole family; essential support for women with disabilities through various programs.
Children served and services provided.
In 2006, Harmony expanded to include a program specifically tailored to assist children with cerebral palsy and related developmental disabilities. Twenty-six children attend the regular programs; six children come to therapy sessions 3 times a week.
The children are provided with education, basic needs, health care; physical and occupational therapy, arts and crafts, dancing, drumming and play.
Harmony trains community members in various skills, disciplines, baking, batik/tie dye, bead/jewelry making and sewing to empower them to be able to sustain themselves.
Types of support.
Harmony operates independently, without government or private support, with limited and irregular source of finances. It has inadequate staff, volunteers and facilities like computer and printer; transport and classroom space. Occasionally a Ghanaian couple donates toys and local foodstuffs.
UNWG has been supporting Harmony since 2012. Its donations are used to buy food, drinking water, cooking gas, toiletries, school and sanitation supplies and medicine. August 2024