Empower caregivers of children with cerebral palsy

Strengthening Mothers’ Skills in CP Care

1. Introduction

This project seeks to empower caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) through psychosocial support, training in home-based rehabilitation practices, and peer-to-peer support groups. During this quarter, the main focus was training mothers on proper positioning techniques for children with CP to improve mobility, feeding, breathing, and overall comfort at home.

2. Objectives of the Quarter

• Strengthen mothers’ capacity in home-based care through training on child positioning.
• Provide psychosocial support through group sessions.
• Foster peer learning and mutual support among mothers.
• Enhance mothers’ confidence and skills in supporting their children’s daily needs.

3. Activities Conducted

a. Support Group Meeting:

• Three-day meeting with 28 mothers and 25 children with CP.
• Provided a platform for sharing experiences and challenges.
• Helped reduce isolation and strengthened peer support. 

b. Training on Positioning:

• 28 mothers trained in positioning techniques (sitting, lying, feeding, play).
• Each mother practiced with her child.
• Improved child comfort, function, and prevention of complications.

c. Peer-to-Peer Exchange:

• Mothers divided into 5 small groups for practice and feedback.
• Strengthened peer learning and mutual support networks.

d. Psychosocial Support Session:

• All 28 mothers participated.
• Focused on coping strategies, stress management, and self-care.
• Mothers reported feeling encouraged and supported.

4. Achievements/Key Outcomes this Quarter

• 28 mothers trained on child positioning, with hands-on practice using their children.
• 25 children with CP directly benefited from improved handling and positioning during the session.
• Mothers gained confidence in preventing secondary complications such as stiffness, breathing problems, and feeding difficulties.
• Strengthened peer bonds and collective support among mothers.

5. Challenges Encountered

• Some mothers struggled to attend due to transport limitations.
• Limited therapy equipment (e.g., supportive chairs, cushions) for practice.
• Care demands at home still limit mothers’ full participation.

6. Feedback from Participants

• Mothers appreciated the practical nature of the training and requested more sessions on feeding and play activities.
• They recommended regular refresher trainings to build mastery.

7. Pending Activities

• Follow-up home visits to monitor use of positioning techniques.
• Plan for next quarter’s training on feeding, play, and communication.
• Mobilization of resources for therapy aids and caregiver support.

8. Recommendations and Way Forward

• Increase training frequency to four times per quarter to deepen learning.
• Provide basic therapy aids (e.g., cushions, mats) to mothers for home practice.
• Strengthen collaboration with health facilities for referral and technical support.

9. Conclusion

This quarter successfully empowered 28 mothers of children with CP through training on positioning, enhancing their caregiving capacity and confidence. By improving children’s comfort and participation in daily activities, the intervention contributes to better quality of life for both children and their families. Sustained training, support, and livelihood integration will be crucial for continued progress

From Isolation to Empowerment: Supporting Mental Wellbeing and Inclusive Parenting in CP Caregiver Communities

Introduction

This report presents progress from the last quarter( February,March and April 2025) for the project “Empowering Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy.” The core objective of this phase was to support the mental wellbeing of caregivers, promote inclusive parenting, and strengthen community-based support systems. The burden of caregiving for a child with CP is often isolating, emotionally draining, and misunderstood in the community. This quarter, we focused on providing caregivers with tools to manage stress, improve their parenting confidence, and build supportive peer networks.

Major Activities Conducted

Mental Health and Stress Management Training

Over the quarter, we conducted three group-based psychoeducation sessions targeting primary caregivers of children with CP. These sessions aimed to provide a safe space to:

• Share personal experiences and emotional struggles
• Learn basic coping strategies for anxiety, depression, and caregiver fatigue
• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness exercises
• Identify symptoms of burnout and when to seek help

Participation and Outcomes:

47 caregivers (41 women, 6 men) participated.

92% of participants reported feeling “less alone” after the session.

Group discussions uncovered common stressors including: public stigma, child health uncertainty, lack of partner support, and economic strain.

One mother shared that after attending the session, she was able to sleep through the night for the first time in weeks after trying the relaxation technique introduced.

Inclusive Parenting Skills Sessions

We conducted two practical sessions focused on inclusive parenting. The goal was to:

1. Reframe disability from a lens of possibility and dignity
2. Promote equal treatment and emotional connection between the child with CP and their siblings
3. Encourage daily communication, play, and stimulation regardless of the child’s mobility or verbal ability
4. Train caregivers to track small developmental milestones and celebrate progress

Key content covered included:

• Understanding non-verbal communication cues
• Building routines that include the child in family life
• Engaging fathers and siblings as active participants in care
• Avoiding harmful comparisons with typically developing children

Outcomes:

• Caregivers expressed a shift in how they viewed their child’s potential.
• Some parents reported changes at home, such as bringing the child to the dining area instead of feeding them alone.
• Two fathers who had been previously uninvolved began attending group sessions and expressed interest in learning feeding and positioning techniques.

Strengthening Social Support through Caregiver Groups

We focused on building peer support structures to reduce isolation and improve knowledge-sharing.

Two new caregiver support groups were launched in Katanga and Kavule communities.

These groups meet biweekly and are facilitated by trained volunteers with lived experience or basic rehabilitation knowledge.

Group topics are rotated, but time is always reserved for open sharing, encouragement, and affirmations.

Highlights:

Some caregivers reported that this was the first time they had talked openly about their child’s condition in a group setting.

A grandmother raising two children with disabilities noted that the group “feels like family, where I am understood without judgment.”

One group established a small rotating savings initiative to help meet emergency transport needs.

Referrals and Follow-Up Support

• 9 caregivers showing signs of emotional distress were referred to community health workers or nearby mental health clinics for further support.
• We are currently tracking their progress through VHTs and hope to follow up on outcomes in the next quarter.

Challenges Faced

Emotional sensitivity: Some sessions triggered difficult emotions for caregivers, which required trained facilitators to debrief and follow up.

Lack of male involvement: Despite efforts, only a small number of fathers or male guardians attended.

Lessons Learned

• Safe spaces matter: Simply having time and a supportive environment to talk without fear of judgment is therapeutic for caregivers.
• Mental health is foundational: Caregivers who feel emotionally supported are more engaged in their child’s development.
• Culturally sensitive messaging on parenting and disability helped reduce shame and guilt among caregivers.

Conclusion

This quarter has shown that mental health and inclusive parenting are not luxuries, but essentials for families living with CP. The progress made is both personal and communal: caregivers are beginning to feel seen, heard, and capable. We invite donors and partners to walk with us as we continue building resilience, one caregiver group at a time.