Rehabilitation for 50 Children with Disabilities

 Namaste, we are very happy to tell you that we have raised US $21,600 till now through GlobalGiving. There is no doubt that the journey till here would not have been possible without the warm support and good wishes of our donors. So we take this chance to thank all of our donors and supporters.

 This time we bring you the update on boccia ball competition held for children and youth with disabilities. United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been annually observed on 3 December around the world. The theme for 2018 IDPD was “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”. In Nepal it was observed in a grand way with the slogan 'Count me in’, ‘Ensure inclusiveness and equity for the persons with disabilities’. Patan CBR organized a Boccia ball competition for children with multiple disabilities on the occasion of IPDP. The event took place on December 16, 2018 in the premises of Mangalbazar Durbar Square.

Boccia is played sitting in wheel chair. The aim of the game is to throw leather balls — coloured red or blue (which side uses which is determined by a coin toss) as close as they can to a white target ball, or jack. The jack is thrown first, then the first two regular balls are played (first, the player who threw the jack then the opposing side), after which the side furthest away from the jack goes next in an attempt to either get closer to the jack or knock the opposition's ball out of the way. In this fashion, each end will continue until one side has played all their balls, at which point, the opposing side will play their remaining balls. At the end of each round, or end, the referee measures the distance of the balls closest to the jack, and awards points accordingly — one point for each ball that is closer to the jack than the opponent's closest ball. The team/player with the highest number of points at the end of play is the winner. 

The event started with a formal opening by distinguished guests ;MP of Provincial assembly (Province no. 3),representatives from ward office, representatives from Lalitpur Metropolitan, Pulchowk, treasurer of Boccia Game Association, Nepal. All the guests were welcomed and souvenirs were given. After coming to know about the work Patan CBR is doing, the political leaders were so impressed and they promised to allocate budget in the coming future for welfare of children and youths with disabilities and also avocate for their inclusion.

After the formal opening, the demonstration was given on how the game is played by the coaches. Then the game was started. In   each round, two teams played (each team consisted of three members). Around 300 people from community observed the event. In total 49 children and youth with multiple disabilities participated in the event. To make the event friendly, although the winners were declared, prizes were distributed to all the team members.

Challenges

• Although, it comes under corporate social responsibility for profit making organizations to support events like these, very less parties who were approached agreed to support.
• Children who were coming from centers far from the event spot couldn’t be included due to lack of funds for transport.

Achievements

• Provided sports and leisure activity for children and youth with disabilities
• Increased confidence of the children after showing talent in mass, provided opportunities to interact with community
• Increased awareness of community to accept PwD as part of community and do advocacy for equity
• Provided opportunity for different organizations working for children and youths with disability to interact and form a network
• Increased awareness of government authorities