Collaborating Across Borders - the story of Mama Respond
That’s the theme Erin Hegarty chose for her recent presentation to Applecross Rotary but the Back Story is also really important - the use of a Rotary Foundation Global Grant to fund life changing facilities for children with disabilities at a school just outside Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
As Chris Whelan explained in a presentation a few weeks ago, the Rotary Foundation has funds sent from every Rotary Club in the world to return to those clubs to support Rotary's causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever. Mama Respond focuses on improving health for a better education of children with disabilities and the funds to achieve this have come from Rotary Districts in three countries - Australia, the USA and Kenya, of course.
There’s a plaque on the wall at the school that acknowledges this and the support of the Australian High Commission in Nairobi. Erin is pictured here with two members of the local Rotary Club of Embakasi and Mike Smith from Applecross Rotary.
Erin outside the school with Lewis Hurst, Second Secretary at the Australian High Commission.
The main success so far is the building of an Ambulant Toilet Block, a Special Needs Unit (funded by the Australian Government), and preparing for the introduction of an Art Therapy program.
The special needs unit block comprises three classrooms, a therapy or assessment room, a teachers and administrators staff room, a home economics/life skills room, and a disability-friendly dining and common room. It includes ambulant and accessible disability-friendly washrooms.
Apart from the physical structures, of equal importance is the Medical Advocacy program which is breaking down barriers to access hospitals, and Strong Mamas, a network of 85 mothers whose shared experience includes a 16 week mental health course that enables them to desensitise the traditional stigma of having a child with a disability.
Some of the Strong Mamas
Erin’s plans for the future of the project includes assisting 24 other schools to create inclusive classrooms and toilets by 2027.
Meanwhile, back here in Perth, Erin is looking to enlist volunteers with skills in financial services including accounting, to assist this growing project, Mama Respond to, well, respond! Next time you’re talking to your accountant, mention there’s an opportunity for them to help create a better world for children with disabilities, and they won't have to join Applecross Rotary to get to do this.
If you missed Erin’s presentation you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/QcoiyvqgJWk