Development centre for children with disabilities in Thailand

Hope Home
Title | Development centre for children with disabilities in Thailand |
Description | Hope Home is a part residential, part day-care facility for severely disabled children helping to develop the physical and mental capacities of children who would otherwise have no hope. |
Status | Completed |
Dates | Start: 2011; End: 2012 |
Implementing partner | Hope Home |
Location | Chiang Mai, Thailand |
Sector | Health – disability |
Situation
Nearly two million people in Thailand live with a disability. Government healthcare services do not provide the care needed for each child’s physical, mental and emotional development. This results in children not being given the opportunity to maximise their personality, gifts and character.
Families caring for a child with a severe disability have insufficient access to medical professionals, advice, support and respite.
Children born with disabilities are often stigmatised and discriminated against as their disability is viewed as offending the spirits. This results in children being confined to home environments, causing additional preventable psychological problems.
Response and Outcomes
- Improved essential care services
Hope Home staff and child
Over 50 children received therapies appropriate to their needs – including art, music and nutrition – giving each child greater opportunities to achieve key milestones in their development.
- Residential foster care
Seven orphaned or abandoned children received residential foster care at Hope Home. Respite care was also provided when parents were at work or needed time away.
- Resource centre for families
Hope Home held respite care family days and provided resources and information for families in the community who care for a child with a disability. Staff routinely visited 20 families to support their health, education, social and counselling needs.
- Improved local attitudes to disability
Through daily walks, playing in the local playground and attendance at religious services, local people have become more familiar with children with disabilities interacting with the community. This visible presence has helped change negative attitudes and encouraged families to include children with disabilities in community activities.
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