Any adult who regularly looks after a child with impairments qualifies as the child’s caregiver. The child’s parents usually look after them by default, but a caregiver can also be a hired professional who is compensated. A special needs child may also receive regular or sporadic care from other family members and reliable friends. Generally, the value of a caregiver to a child with disabilities is enormous.
ZPHCA together with the department of Social Development hosted retreat camps for caregivers and adolescents. 138 caregivers and adolescents attended the retreat camp with the objective of improving their psychosocial wellbeing and to share experiences of caring children with different disabilities.
Through the project, the ZPHCA team managed to note that most of the adolescents with disabilities were aware of the abuses and not familiar with the policies that protect them. Hence a request for simplified versions of the policies in local languages were put forth. The UNCRC Article 31 states that every child has a right to leisure and play, as it is mandated to promote leisure participation for all children including those with disabilities. Caregivers were encouraging to create safe places for play, that are safe and free to play. It was made clear to parents that play has benefits including developing the following: cognitive development, physical development, communication skills, social and emotional development.
The day was later spent with caregivers playing with the children, singing and dancing to the music. “Thank you ZPHCA we now know each other and we have destressed from the caring of children with disabilities. We need more trainings like these and we express our utmost gratitude to the partners that made this event a reality” sentiments from one of the participants.
