I’ve Learned How to Wash My Hands Too
Have you learned to wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds? Did you feel that we all went back to school and had to relearn how to wash hands at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic? A simple act like hand washing can be a challenge for children with disabilities.
Nian Nian used to just rinse her hands with water and dash off to the next thing that is waiting for her, despite her teacher’s attempt to get her to clean her hand properly. You see, Nian Nian was born with Down syndrome. During this extraordinary COVID-19 pandemic, teachers at the welfare institution that Nian Nian attends in Tianjin are anxious to make sure their students learn good personal hygiene practices.
In China, it is estimated that there are 5.04 million children with disabilities, aged between 0-17. Nearly 80% of them have intellectual disability, motor or multiple disabilities, and they are considered among the most vulnerable children in the country.
Only 28.1% of children with disabilities have access to long term rehabilitation services.
30% of the children with disabilities are not participating in the nine-year compulsory education.
60% of families with children with disabilities live below the average household income, and 70% of the income is used to meet the needs of children with disabilities.
Limited public awareness have restricted access to public services for children with disabilities and families.
About 70% of parents or caregivers have not received rehabilitation training and therefore are unable to provide the support needed. These families also suffer from psychological stress in facing the uncertainties of the future.
Children with disabilities should, and can participate fully, equally and meaningfully in society.
World Vision has been serving children with disabilities in China for more than 25 years. With your continuing support, it is our hope that every child, including children like Nian Nian, can live life in all its fullness. We collaborate with children’s welfare institutions, rehabilitation centres, schools, as well as with healthcare professionals, to enhance children with disabilities’ well-being in a holistic and sustainable way:
Train health workers and teachers with knowledge and skills to design rehabilitation and learning programs for children with disabilities, and to monitor the progress of each child with the guidance from experts.
Enhance parents and caregiver’s knowledge to communicate with, and care for children with disabilities. Form peer groups so that they have a platform to seek advice and support.
Help parents and caregivers connect with civil services or organizations that can help them with aid, resources and support to care for children with disabilities
Partner with civil society organizations to support inclusive education in schools. Eg: prepare families and schools before the admission of children with disabilities, provide support to teachers and raise awareness among students to create a children with disabilities friendly-environment.
Create a children with disabilities friendly society by promoting disability inclusion through activities like Community Fun Day and experiential activities.
With the coronavirus outbreak, World Vision has produced a special video that teachers can use to teach children with disabilities about personal hygiene. The video uses songs and actions to explain to children good practices, such as the “Seven Steps of Hand Washing”. Not only is this a fun way of learning, but the songs and actions also makes it easier for children to remember the routines.
“Palms, the back of my hands, fingers…” Today, Nian Nian is able to recite the song whenever she washes her small hands. When she is done, she would turn to her teacher and proudly declare “I’ve learned how to wash hands too!”
Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness;
Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so
Sharing hope & joy for all children!
