Rehabilitation of disabled children in the Archdiocese of Mbeya

Mbeya “Community Based Rehabilitation” also known as “Simama CBR”. It is one of the outreach programs of the Iyunga RC Health Centre. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Mbeya in Tanzania. The program provides therapies to children with disabilities by following the concept of “Community based rehabilitation” whereby the whole community is involved in helping the disabled children. The concept embraces the following aspects:

• Children have access to physiotherapy treatments and social-cognitive activities in three Rehabilitation Centres
• Children who cannot reach the rehabilitation centres do benefit of rehabilitation services at home
• Linking the children with schools for inclusive education
• CBR workers, teachers, parents and caregivers are trained on several topics
• Awareness on disability is carried in schools and also in public structures
• Provision of assistive rehabilitation devices in rehabilitation centres, schools and also in homes.

As of today, Simama CBR is helping more than 360 children aged from 1 to 14 years. Regardless of their ethnic background, race, colour or religious affiliation.