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‘Sangam’s main problems were not walking and not talking. He couldn’t do anything, but the field worker came to the house and taught many things. Now the problems are gradually reducing. I feel very good about this programme, without which maybe Sangam wouldn’t be able to walk and talk.’ Sangam’s mother.
Help for autistic children in Nepal has been virtually non-existent in the past. Access to remote villages led to poor diagnosis and lack of resources. Families struggled to cope with children with significant and challenging behaviour patterns.
It is vital for the development of children with autism to be given support and training at an early stage. This would involve the children learning mainly through play, and also training for the parents and staff alongside awareness programmes, home visits, parent counselling and support, even vocational training for parents to help improve their financial situation.
All these are part of the enlightened approach of PRAN, an innovative centre, which functions alongside ABVK, Mani Raj Shrestha’s school for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities, and which also incorporates a learning centre for children and young adults with severe learning difficulties
The ‘Portage and Rehabilitation Association Nepal’ (PRAN), a home-visiting service for families with autistic children from birth to school age, was set up in 2001 by Founder and Director of PRAN, Mani Raj Shrestha, who also runs the ABVK School for mental and physical disabilities close to Kathmandu. This centre of excellence trains others to identify symptoms and implement his programme of early intervention for families throughout Nepal.
‘From birth to 6 years old, development in children is very fast. They learn quickly at this age. …Early intervention is important. If we can diagnose problems and provide services in time, we can prevent secondary problems,’ says Mani Raj. Supported by The Juniper Trust this centre of excellence trains others to identify symptoms and to implement his programme of early intervention for families throughout Nepal. In 2014, The Juniper Trust raised £20,000 towards the building of a new centre which was finished by the end of that year. Luckily there was only minor damage in the April 2015 earthquake.
Glenn Rowley from The Juniper Trust visited in November 2015, pledging additional help with £3000 worth of furniture and equipment to enable PRAN to offer residential courses for trainers and families with special needs children. PRAN ‘s work has wide-ranging implications for helping autistic children. The Juniper Trust hopes to continue supporting its ongoing programmes and training, keeping in touch with PRAN, and helping out where possible with this life-changing initiative. This is in accordance with JT’s pledge always to continue in partnership with its projects.
With the support of The Juniper Trust, PRAN’s work has made a huge difference to the lives of autistic children and their families in Nepal. Now completed, PRAN has trained 650 volunteers, teachers and parents, with face-to-face induction on a Portage Programme now spreading through the rest of Nepal, enabling more children and parents to gain access to top-quality advice, support and training.
30 Wordsworth Street
Penrith, Cumbria
CA11 7QY, United Kingdom
Registered Charity Number: 1053356