Sour Community Disability Programme (SCDP)

Sour Community Disability Programme is making APT equipment

The Background Situation

The SCDP is in the south of Lebanon working in a Palestinian 'camp'. The economic situation in the camp is related to the whole situation in Lebanon. There is unemployment and inflation. Extra costs are being born by citizens because of the past civil war and the more recent power cuts because of the power stations in Beirut being bombed. In addition to this Palestinians have decreased services for health and education which were covered by UNRWA and other organizations. These are now needed in Gaza and the West Bank; Palestinian authority areas. It is difficult to get jobs, the Lebanese state has decreed that Palestinians should not be working in 78 different professions which only leaves agricultural and some menial jobs. There is 40% unemployment in the camps.

It is in this situation that SCDP runs to help severely disabled people, adults and children, and their families. The activities include home programmes for exercises, partnership and training of any family members to help.

There is also a day care room at the SCDP office/centre. Two groups of 5 or 6 children come each week. This gives an appreciated opportunity for the children to mix together. The staff benefit through learning more from them about their abilities in communication and movement.

In addition the families have some free time to shop and make Doctor's visits. There are places in schools or other programmes for more mobile children. SCDP acts as a bridge between clients and other organizations to get better services. More than one organisation can help where there are complex needs. SCDP helps by obtaining some equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and splints.

APT Equipment for Disabled Children

Low cost and availability is essentially relevant for Palestinian people in the camps. To boost the equipment that can be obtained from other organizations the SCDP has started to set time aside to make APT equipment. Cardboard can be found and flour is available and cheap. In fact flour is even given free by UNRWA. So APT, with it's cheap and available materials and it's versatility for designing unique and individualised equipment, is ideal for the programme.

After starting APT with a course last September (1999) the team have made 20 pieces including an insert into a wheelchair, chairs, small stools, wedges and standing frames (see pictures). 5 more are in the process of being made. Not only have items been made for the children but the smooth working of the Office has been helped by making a strong stand, including shelves, for the photocopy machine. There are 8 members of staff in SCDP: 4 Home visitors, 1 project organiser, 1 office assistant, 1 driver and 1 physiotherapist. They think the work is very interesting. Many other people are interested in the idea. Passers-by sometimes see what is being made and come to ask. At first they do not think it is a good idea but once they feel the furniture and see the photocopier on top of the table, they are convinced. Sometimes they are so convinced that they then help by bringing in cardboard.

After learning how to make equipment with APT it was decided to reorganise the visiting program. They decided to put visits on certain days and the rest of the time on APT. This has worked out giving each staff member one full day to work on APT items. In addition to this Nawal, who is an office assistant, helps more than one day a week as she has more free time. Work is continuing. There are more ideas and plans. A workshop is being arranged for Badrieh El Osta, who makes recycled paper, to teach disabled people and their families about paper-making and also making some APT toys and other small items for sale. There is the idea of making cultural forms and maybe even making a shop outlet.

Hisham Moubarak El ALI

E-mail: hichamm@cyberia.net.lb