2015AnnualReport

Submittedby

KathyBowler,Director

God’s Exceptional Kids

ChildrenofBlessingTrust

Introduction

“Jesussaid,letthelittlechildrencometomeanddonothinderthemforthekingdomofheavenbelongstosuchasthese.”Mathew19:14

Whatwasnewin2015?Tons!!!!!Wehaveregisteredover1952clientssincewestartedin2007.Manynewandexcitingthingshavetakenplacethisyear.Takealookatjustafewofthem.Kenneth,oneofKathy’sclientssincehewasinGrade7graduatedfromtheUniversityofMalawiwithabachelor’sdegreeinArts:HumanitieswithaMajorinDrama.HehasbeeninstrumentalinfightingstigmaanddiscriminationagainstpeoplewithdisabilitiesthroughourCommunitySensitizationTrainings.NowhehopestocontinuethisimportantworkusinghisnewskillsofTheatreforChangechallengingstudentswithdisabilitiesandtheirteachers.Lily,oneofouryouthwithahearingimpairment(inthecentre)graduatedfromtheMUASchoolfortheDeafthisyearandisnowattendinganintegratedSecondarySchool.Shewillbethefirstofmany.All10ofourOutreachclinicsrantwiceaweekstartinginJanuary2015.Weareexcitedtobeabletoofferrehabilitationservices,preschooleducationandnutritionrehabilitationatall10sites:Lumbadzi,Mngwangwa,Nambuma,Kauma,DaeyangLukeHospital,ABCCommunityClinic,Njewa,Chitukula,McheziTownCentreandMbabviandSpecialEducationservicesatNjewa,Lumbadzi,MngwangwaandChitukula.In2015wewereabletoofferSpecialEducationservicesat4ofourOutreachClinicforthefirsttime!RobertcameonboardasourfirstteacherwithadegreeinSpecialEducationandheistrainedtoworkwithstudentswithalltypesofdisabilities.AtCOBTheworkswiththeBehaviourChallengeProgram(31children)aswellastheVisuallyImpaired(4children)andHearingImpairedPrograms(22children).Intheafternoonshealsogoesoutto4OutreachClinicswhereheseesclientswithlearningdisabilities(32children)aswellashearing(13children)andvisualimpairments(1child).ItisourgoaltogetmoreteacherslikeRobertsothatwecanofferSpecialEducationservicesatall10ofourcurrentOutreachClinicsandthenewonewehopetostartin2016.StillnofulltimeOccupationalTherapistsowehiredaPhysiotherapistinstead:EmmacameonboardasatemporaryemployeeinJanuarywhilewecontinuedtolookforanOccupationalTherapist.WhenitbecameclearthattherewerenoOccupationalTherapiststobefoundweofferedherthejobfulltime.SheworkedattheChildren’sRehabilitationProgramonemorningaweek,thePreschooltwo

morningsaweekandtherestofthetimeshewasoutattheOutreachClinics.Every5monthssherotatedsothatalltheclinicsbenefitedfromherexpertise.SpeechTherapist:ForafewmonthsthisyearwewereprivilegedtohaveStaceywithusfromAustralia.ShewasabletoworkwithShuppie,oneofourRehabilitationTechniciansandMorgan,ourconsultantCommunicationsDisordersTechniciantopassonherexpertise.TherearenoSpeechTherapistsworkinginMalawiatthistimesothiswasawonderfulopportunityforus.EarlyChildhoodEducation:WewereexcitedtobeabletosendoneofourPreschoolTeachersand2ofourCaregiverstotheEarlyChildhoodEducationCourse.AllofthemdidverywellwithNaomi,ourPreschoolTeachergettingthetoppositioninherclass.WearenowabletouseGraceandMariamasAssistantPreschoolTeachersatourOutreachClinics,whichallowsustoprovidePreschooleducationateachofthe10sitesatleastonceaweek.ThriveMalawiVideos:JoAnneAlaric,aprofessionalvideographerwithNumberFiveProductionshasmadethreevideosforChildrenofBlessingTrustandtheThriveMalawiwebsitesofar;TheChildren’sRehabilitationProgram,TheEpilepsyClinicandtheNutritionProgram.CheckthemoutontheThriveMalawiwebsitehttp://www.thrivemalawi.ca.ThriveMalawiistheCanadianCharitythathasbeenestablishedtohelpusraisefundsforChildrenofBlessingTrust.YoucanalsoseethevideosonourChildrenofBlessingTrustFacebookpage.OurfirstFundraisingTourwithERDOChildcarePlusSponsorshipProgramwascarriedoutinCanadainthefall.KathyBowler,thedirectorofChildrenofBlessingTrustvisited7churchesandmetwithmanyindividualsalongtheway.30morechildrenweregivensponsorships.Therearestillmanymorechildrenneedingsponsorship.IfyouareinterestedinbecomingasponsorpleasecheckouttheERDOwebsiteathttp://www.erdo.ca.ClickonChildSponsorshipandthensearchforMalawi.TheChildrenofBlessingTrustisnottheonlyprogramlookingforsponsorsinMalawisoclickonmoreinfotoseewhichonesbelongtous.SpecialthanksgoouttoallourfriendsandsupportersinCanadathathelpedtoorganizethedifferentevents.

2015Highlights

SchoolSponsorships:75childrenwereassistedtoattendschool.1childisattendingPreschoolintheirhomecommunity.71childrenareattendingPrimarySchool.3childrenareattendingSecondarySchool.22ofthePrimarySchoolchildrenareattendingtheMuaSchoolfortheDeafand2areattendingtheMalingundeSchoolfortheBlind.OurChildren’sRehabilitationProgram:Continuedtoteachchildrenhowtosit,roll,crawl,standandwalk.Thechildrenaredividedinto2groups:thosewhoarelearningtositandthosewhoarelearningtowalk.Ourgoalistomovethem

throughtheChildren’sRehabilitationProgramasquicklyaspossiblesothattheycanenterthePreschoolandeventuallygetintoPrimarySchool.264childrenattendedtheChildren’sRehabilitationProgramlastyear.IntegratedPreschool:ContinuedtoprovidequalityPreschoolEducationtoChildrenwithdisabilitiesandtheirablebodiedpeers.Thechildrenweredividedinto2groups.Thefirstgroupisforchildrenenteringthepreschoolsystemandteachesthebasicsofshapes,colours,numbers,letters,puzzles,andcolouring.Thesecondgroupisforchildrenpreparingtostartschoolandconcentratesonschoolreadinessactivitiessuchasprinting,counting,simplemathandmuchmore.Wehave3PreschoolTeachers,oneforeachclassandonewithamoreflexiblescheduleavailabletopulloutchildreninsmallgroupstoworkonspecificconcepts.WealsohiredoneofthemomswithachildwithadisabilitytobethePreschoolCaregiver.ShepreparesfoodforthechildrenandsupervisestheFreePlayroomaswell.In2016wehopetosendhertoschooltotaketheEarlyChildhoodEducationCourseaswell.145childrenattendedthePreschoolin2015.SpecialEducationProgram:SpecialClass:TheSpecialClassprepareschildrentoentertheSchoolsystemwheneverpossible.In2015weexpandedtheclassto4morningsaweek.60childrenattendedtheprogramthisyear.Someofthechildrenaretoooldtoattendschool.Thesestudentsareslottedinwiththechildrenwhoareworkingonthesameskillsasthem.Noonewhowishestolearnisexcluded!Nextyeartheclasswillbedividedinto2levelswiththechildrenaimingtoenterschoolattending4morningsaweekandthosewhoaretoooldtoenterschoolattending2afternoonsaweek.RemedialClassesforStandards1to4andforStandards5to8:assistschildreninschoolwhoneedextrahelp.57childrenattendedthisprogram.OneofthestudentsintheRemedialclassforStandards5to8graduatedintoFormOne,thefirstyearofSecondarySchool..TheHearingImpairedProgram:TheHearingImpairedProgramteachesthechildrenusingsignlanguage.22childrenattendedthisprogram.StudentsattendingMUASchoolfortheDeafalsocometoattendthisprogramontheschoolbreaks,asMUAdoesnotteachusingsignlanguage.OurfirstgraduatefromMuaSchoolfortheDeafhasnowenteredintoFormOneaswell.TheVisuallyImpairedProgram:workswithbothchildrenwhoareblindandthosewhohavelowvision.Theteachercametwiceaweekandworkedwiththechildrenindividually.OneofourchildrenwaslearningBrailleandwasabletoenterPrimarySchoolinSeptemberattheMalingundeSchoolfortheBlind.Theotherchildseeninthisprogramislearninghowtowalkaroundwithoutbeingabletosee.2childrenwerehelpedinthisprogram.BehaviourChallengeProgram:TheBehaviourChallengeProgramteachesthechildrentositstill,followinstructions,interactwellwithpeopleandtoysanddo

basicdailytaskssuchaseatinganddrinkingandwashinganddressing.31childrenweretaughtintheBehaviourChallengeClass.TheSpecialEducationProgramseesatotalof172childrenatthemaincentreinArea25OutreachSpecialEducationProgram:53morestudentswereservedatthe4OutreachClinics:HearingImpaired:Njewa:1;Lumbadzi:4;Mngwangwa:4;Chitukula:4VisuallyImpaired:Njewa:1LearningImpaired:Njewa:1;Lumbadzi:12;Mngwangwa:15;Chitukula:6TotalassistedattheOutreachClinics:53Total:225NutritionProgram:Sawlotsofchangesin2015.Wenowgoouttoeachofthe10OutreachClinicsevery2weekstoassessthechildrenandprovidethemwiththemaizesoyaporridge.AnychildrenfoundtobemoderatelytoseverelymalnourishedisreferredtoourChipondeProgram,whichrunseveryFridayatthemaincentre..679childrenwereassessedonaregularbasisin2015.124werefoundtobemoderatelytoseverelymalnourished.Thosechildrenwhowerenotimprovingonthechipondeandporridgewerehomevisitedtofindoutwhatwastheproblem.Sometimesthefamilydidnothaveanyfoodtoeat.Wewerethenabletobuythefamilymaizeandbeanseachmonth.Othertimesthecauseforthemalnutritionwasnotclear.ThesechildrenweresenttoseethePediatricianatourpartnerorganizationABCCommunityClinic.ElizabethwasseenbythepediatricianandthenreferredontoKamuzuCentralHospitaltobeseenbythecardiologisttoruleoutaheartcondition.Manyofthechildrenjustneedextrafoodssuchasmilk,fruitoroiltobeaddedtotheirdiets.ParentWorkshopswereheldtwicethisyear.Theparentsreallyenjoytheopportunitytocomeandlearnmoreabouthowtohelptheirchildren.Theyespeciallyenjoythepracticalsessions,therole-plays,thetoymakingsessionsandthechancetosingtheHokeyPokeywhentheygettiredofsitting!EquipmentLoanProgram:OnceagainwereceivedfundingfortheEquipmentLoanProgramfromtheUSAmbassadorsSmallGrantsFundforthefirsthalfof2015.Withthisfundingwewereabletomake5wheelchairs,40specializedchairs,40Upillows,40walkingframes,andsentchildrento500MilesforProstheticsandOrthotics.39childrenweresentto500Milesin2015.Theyreceived46appliancesincluding33AnkleFootOrthotics(31withoutajoint;2withajoint),5Prostheses,5ElbowandHandSplints,1insole,1brace,and1ShoeRaise.143Childrenreceivedspecializedequipmentin2015.329piecesofequipmentweregivenoutincluding:6seatbelts,8wheelchairs,28cornerseats,1chair,45CPchairs,28trays,2canes,53pairsofarmandlegwraps,43walkingframes,6pairsofcrutches,33upillows,50harnesses,and26pairsofshoes.

EpilepsyClinic:Wasverybusythispastyearwith435clientsreceivingtheirmedicationfromourclinics.Wewereblessedtohavelotsofdoctors,clinicalofficers,nursepractitionersandnurseshelpingusovertheyear.Manyoftheclinicshadover75clientsinattendanceinjustoneafternoon.TheLilongweDistrictHealthOfficecontinuedtoassistuswiththeprovisionofEpilepsymedication,whichreallyhelpsusmeettheneedsofsomanyclients!500MosquitoNetswerereceivedattheendoftheyearthroughERDOjustintimeforthestartoftherainyseason.Sofarwehavegivenout484netswiththeremainingnetstobegivenoutwhenwereopeninJanuary.HIV/AIDSTestingandCounseling:WascarriedoutatourmaincentreinArea25BaswellasattheNjewa,Kauma,Mngwangwa,ChitukulaandMcheziOutreachsites.183peopleweretested.ChildcarePlusSponsorshipsatanalltimehigh:Wehave227childrensponsoredasofDecember.Thefundsthataresenteachmontharetobenefitthesponsoredchilddirectly.Thisallowsustotailorthesponsorshiptothechild’suniqueneeds.Thesponsorshipassiststhechildtopayschoolfees,buyaschooluniform,shoesandschoolsupplies,getpropermedicalattention,attendphysiotherapy,occupationaltherapy,speechtherapyandspecialeducationclasses,goforspecialistappointmentswithEyeSpecialistsandOrthopedicSurgeons,cometoschoolortherapyonabicycletaxiorminibus,getnutritiousfoodsandawholelotmore!Checkouttheirwebsitehttp://www.erdo.catoseemoreofourchildrenthatstillneedtobesponsored.FertilizerandFoodPacks:OneofourfriendsinCanadadonatedthemoneyshewouldhavespentonChristmaspresentstothemostneedymembersoftheCOBTfamily.Thismoneyhasbeenusedtoassistfamilieswithmonthlyfoodpacksaswellaswithfertilizertomaximizetheircrops.SmallBusinessStartUpshavebeengivenouttomorethan60moms!Donuts,traditionalcakes,children’sclothing,plasticshoes,powderedsoap,zitenje(colourfulcloths),rice,soyapiecesandeggsarebeingsoldallovertheplace!Bicycles:CCPsponsorshipsprovided4childrenbicyclesthisyear.ThebicyclesmakeiteasierforthechildrentocomefromtheirhomestoourmaincentrefortherapyortoaccessspecializedservicesliketheEpilepsyClinicsandtheNutritionProgramorevengotoschoolorgettotheOutreachClinicsfortherapy.Sallyisveryhappywithhernewbike.Shewashavingalotofpaininherlegafterwalkingoveranhourtogettoschooleveryday.Sheisabletorideherbiketoschoolbyherselfnow.Wewerealsoabletoprovideanadditional4peoplebicycles.Totalnumberofbicycles:8

Volunteerscamefromallovertohelpusthisyear.VanessacamefromGermanytoworkwithusasanassistantPreschoolTeacherforayearandahalfleavinginMay.Herleen,fromHaitiwaswithusforfourmonthsuntilFebruaryandworkedasaRehabilitationTechnician.LesleycamefromCanadainMayandwasagreathelpintheoffice.LauriefromBelgiumviaCanadacameforthemonthofMayandhelpedoutatthePreschool.DanielandDalenacameforthemonthofJulyandhelpedoutatthePreschoolandSpecialEducationProgram.Wehad3studentnursesfromHolland.MarliesfromGermanyhasjustarrivedandwillbewithusuntilSeptemberhelpingoutatthePreschoolandintheOutreachClinics.Wereallyappreciatedalloftheirhelpandsupport!Audit:The2014Audithasbeencarriedoutandwearejustwaitingforthefinalreport.Wenowhaveaconsultantwhowillcomeinonamonthlybasistohelpusstayontrack.

FinancialReport

TheChildrenofBlessingTrustwasabletogrowin2015becauseoftheamazingsupportfrommanyindividualsandorganizations.WereceivedfundingfromSt.Mary’sChurchinAustralia,EmergencyReliefandDevelopmentOverseas,PAOCandthePAOCMalawiFieldOffice,ZoeProjects,USAmbassador’sSmallGrantsFund,TheELMAFoundation,andThriveMalawiaswellasmanyindividuals.OurincomefortheyearwasMK89,583,379.59 andourexpenditureswereMK80,412,886.57

SomeoftheremainingfundsaredesignatedtowardsactivitiesthatarenotyetcompletedwhileotherfundsaredesignatedCCPfundsandarebeingheldforthespecificchild.

Goalsfor2016

• ToopenNsaluOutreachClinicinearly2016• Tooffer11OutreachClinicstwiceaweekincludingRehabservices,

PreschoolEducation,SpecialEducationandNutritionservices.In2015weraneachOutreachClinictwiceaweekbutnotalloftheclinicshadPreschooleducationtwiceaweek.Withour2caregiversnowtrainedasAssistantPreschoolTeachersthiswillimprovebutthiswillremainagoalforusin2016.WeonlyofferedSpecialEducationin4oftheOutreachclinicsin2015anditisourgoalthatwewillbeabletoofferSpecialEducationatalloftheOutreachsites.

• FinancialSustainability:Thisisalwaysanimportantgoalespeciallyasourprogramsgrow!Tocontinuetobuildonourexistingfinancialpartnerships.

• ToHireanOccupationalTherapist:Aswecontinuetogrowanddevelopweseetheneedformoretrainedhealthprofessionalstoassistthechildren.AnOccupationalTherapistwouldbeabletoworkwiththosechildren

primarilyinthePreschooltopreparethemforschoolandwiththoseinPrimarySchoolwhoneedextraassistancetosucceedinschool.Manyofthemhavefinemotorandperceptualmotorissuesthathamperthemfrombeingindependent.TheOccupationalTherapistwouldalsoworkwiththechildren,youthandyoungadultsintheSpecialEducationProgram,especiallythosethathavetransitionedtoPrimarySchoolbutcontinuetohavefinemotorandperceptualmotordifficulties.IdeallywewouldlovetohaveaSpeechTherapisttoo.

• ToseparatetheSpecialClassinto2groups:Thosewithpotentialtoenterintothemainstreamschoolsystemandthosewhoarenot.

• MoreSpace:Onceagainweareregularlyburstingoutofourseams!WewouldliketofindanotherbuildingnearbyandestablishtheSpecialEducationProgramsthere.

• ToHireMorePreschoolandSpecialEducationTeachers:WewouldliketogetmoredegreeSpecialEducationTeachersworkingwithusfulltime.ItisourgoaltoeventuallybeabletoofferPreschooleducationandSpecialEducationatallofour11OutreachClinics.

• EpilepsyClinic:OurgoalistohaveourownClinicalOfficerwhogoesouttothe11OutreachClinicseverymonthandprovidestheclientswhoarestabletheirmedication.Thedoctorswouldthenbeabletoconcentrateonassistingtheclientswhowereneworwhowerenotstableonmedication.

• Vehicle:Topurchaseavehiclethatcanbeusedtodoadministrativetasksintownaswellasaminibustotransportpeopletomedicalappointments.

• Tocontinuetoexpandtheincome-generatingprogramsandexploreoptionsforthesaleofitemsfromthoseincomegeneratingactivities

• ToholdCommunitySensitizationTrainings:OnHIV,andDisabilityinNsaluandonRapeandSexualAbuseinMbabvi,Nambuma,ChitukulaandNsalu.

• ToholdtrainingsonEpilepsyManagementinallourpartnerHealthCentresinourruralcommunities