Members of the Special Mothers Project, an advocacy programme on families raising children with special needs, have pooled resources to support members who may be in dire need during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Most families raising children with special needs in Ghana already face isolation because of the lack of social support services and usually live on the benevolence of others due to their inability to work and earn an income
Mrs Hannah Awadzi, Executive Director of the Special Mothers Project, said, the earlier intention was to distribute foodstuff such as rice, beans, oil, gari to families that were in dire need especially in these times.
“However, observing the rule on social distancing, we decide to give each of the beneficiaries 100 cedis to buy foodstuff and advised them to stay safe and endeavour to protect the children,” she said.
The Special Mothers Project made a symbolic presentation of foodstuff and a cash amount to Madam Janet Afi Sogbo, grandmother and main caregiver of a nine-year-old girl with cerebral palsy
12 members of the Special Mothers Project selected from the Greater Accra Region, Ashanti, Central and Brong Ahafo regions respectively has so far benefitted from the gesture
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the kindness shown them by the group and promised to buy nutritious foodstuff to feed their families and stay safe
COVID 19 presents another challenge to families raising children with Special Needs especially those with neurological conditions who may be susceptible to having their immune system compromised.