The Branch of the German CARITAS Association in Tajikistan brought together 70 children with disabilities, their parents and community rehabilitation workers from Ayni district in Shohin sanatorium to have a one-week recreation. The summer camp launched formally by making a campfire on the evening of the first day.
Representatives from Caritas Germany, local partner organizations “ASTI” and “DARO” and Shohin sanatorium in their welcome and opening remarks said that children with disabilities along with children without disabilities have equal rights and access to health, education and recreational services. It was also noted that the Tajik President and Government always pay particular attention to well-being of persons with disabilities and the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the President of Tajikistan in March 2018 witnesses the above-mentioned words.
The children with disabilities who had never been out of their district except going to hospitals and in most cases remain at home due to their visual, hearing, speech, mobility and intellectual impairments really enjoyed their time in the summer camp. The recreational program mainly included morning exercises, drawing, applique, bead weaving, pottery, swimming, poem recitation, singing, dancing, sport competitions and many other cultural, sport and art activities. Moreover, psychological consultations on proper upbringing of children with disabilities were provided for parents during quiet hours.
At the farewell party on the last evening, the children with disabilities and their parents demonstrated their hand-made products, recited poems, sang songs and performed dances and shows learned and prepared while being in summer camp and were awarded with gifts and certificates of recognition for their active participation in activities.
Inclusion of children with disabilities in society, development of children’s skills and promotion of peer support as well as improvement of their parents’ caring skills was the main goal of the summer camp, which was held within the framework of the Project on supporting civil society in applying community based rehabilitation for people with disabilities in Ayni district (the Project). The Project is funded by the European Union and Caritas Germany and is implemented with support of the Local Government Authority of Ayni district and in close cooperation with partner Public Organizations “ASTI” and “DARO”.
Since 2007, CARITAS Germany in Tajikistan supported more than 2500 people with disabilities and opened 7 training halls, 30 rehabilitation centers, 28 playrooms for children and 6 consultation points for rehabilitation specialists. Moreover, CARITAS applied the inclusive education system in 7 pre-school educational institutions and 14 general educational institutions, made the vocational education of vulnerable youth happen in 9 vocational educational institutions and included about 400 children with disabilities in secondary schools. Also, based on the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program, 15 national trainers, 250 rehabilitation workers, 6 specialists of sign language and 370 teachers were trained on the subjects related to disability and inclusive education.
