The Faces of FANDIC
FANDIC works with families and children with disability in a strategy developed by the World Health Organization called Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR). This strategy emphasizes human rights and opportunities for people with disability.Training starts with the family, the first point of reference for the child.
In this picture you see Carolina’s grandmother and caregiver providing stimulation with a cotton gauze and massage to facial muscles. She does this before Carolina eats her snack. Whereas Carolina could not masticate previous to beginning therapy, she is now starting to chew. This means she can move from liquid to solid food.
Therapists are available in FANDIC to stimulate development of physical and cognitive function in the children as well as to teach the caregivers to provide stimulation at home. Diana really enjoys working on the tablet where she slides coloured shapes into the correct slot. While she recognizes shapes and colours with help of the therapist, she also identifies the animal by saying “cow” and “moo”.
Fine motor activity as well as expression of appreciation to others is also part of the program. To the left we see Keissi concentrating on threading beads onto a thin wire to make a bracelet for her mother. The photo to the right shows mothers, children, brothers and sisters working together to make individual thank you cards that were then presented one-by-one to Glenn, a visiting CAPD Board member, and myself.
These last pictures were taken in front of Fandic Norte where the short street was blocked off so we could have a street party. Whereas a visiting ladies group provided the food and drink, Fandic’s youth provided the entertainment. Princess Camila proudly parades the dress she wore in a city-wide competition. The flowers of the skirt were made by Fandic children to reflect the carnival theme of the competition. Cristian is a popular young man who loves to sing, dance and perform.
As I watched, I marveled at the joy and freedom these youth had in expressing themselves. How things have changed from 1998 when we started FANDIC and found children hidden in the homes by parents who loved them but felt helpless and isolated! FANDIC has had a significant impact on many lives in this community. I see this when they come to thank me for coming to share these moments in their lives. I see positive, happy faces that are content and confident. And I, in turn, am thankful for the commitment, love, and dedication shown by the FANDIC team as they work together to improve the quality of life of these children and their families.
