VILLAGE REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES
The role of a villager-run rehabilitation center
Some of the most important rehabilitation activities take place with the family
in the home. Others take place in the school, the marketplace, the village square,
and, when necessary, in the nearest orthopedic hospital. The key to helping all
this happen can be the village rehabilitation center. (See the next page.)
A village rehabilitation center run by modestly trained disabled workers, together
with the families of disabled children, can provide a wide range of services.
These may include training and support of families, community activities, non-
surgical orthopedic procedures, and making orthopedic and rehabilitation aids. The
program need not try to do everything at first, but can start with what seems most
important and gradually add new skills and activities as needs and opportunities
arise.
Eventually, a community team can gain considerable skill in many areas. For
example, the village team of PROJIMO is able to adequately attend the needs of about
90% of the disabled children it sees (except for blind or deaf children for whom its
services are still not adequate). Only about 10% need referral to orthopedic hospitals
or larger rehabilitation centers. Visiting experts have found that at times the therapy
or aids provided by PROJIMO are more helpful than those previously provided to the
same children by professionals in the cities.
The chart on the following page gives an idea of possible activities and
functions of a village rehabilitation center. It also lists activities of possible ‘sub-
centers’ in neighboring villages, as well as referral and support services needed
from urban orthopedic and rehabilitation centers, and outside specialists.
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Organizing the community to build a ‘playground for all children’ is one of the best ways to increase
participation and to integrate disabled and non-disabled children in a way that everyone enjoys.
disabled village children