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The
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are
over
150 million children with disabilities
growing up in developing
countries.
98% of these will never
receive an education or the rehabilitative services they need.
This means that such children are incapacitated by their disability.
Social prejudices create another barrier. In countries where the
entire family must exert themselves in order to survive, a child
with a disability is often seen as a burden. Many cultures consider
the birth of a disabled child as a punishment from God, causing
shame and embarrassment within the family and resulting in the child
being hidden from the rest of his/her community. Of course, many
parents are well-intentioned, but without the knowledge and tools
required to support the development of a child with special needs,
their efforts are often frustrated. As a result of these and other
factors, such children suffer grave human rights violations on a
daily basis. They are the most vulnerable of all children, and are
forgotten in the midst of traditional development programs. Yet, it
doesn’t take much to give these children and their families the
tools they need to foster development, happiness and independence.
The
most important reason to help children with disabilities is simply
because they are children. They’re kids like other kids - with
likes and dislikes, giggle fits and temper tantrums, and with the
same rights and needs as all other children. They have the right to
grow and develop to their full potential, to play an active
role in their future and to enjoy life to it’s fullest, and it is
our responsibility to give them the tools necessary to do so.
Donate
Now and help us help children with disabilities in developing
nations.
You would be surprised how
little it takes to improve the life of a child in need.
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