Empowering Children with Cerebral Palsy in Sierra Leone
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability worldwide, affecting body movement, posture, and speech. It is caused by damage to the developing brain, often before or during birth, or up to two years of age. Common causes include lack of oxygen during birth, infections, head injuries, low blood sugar, and stroke. Depending on its type and severity, children with CP may face speech difficulties, poor motor control, and decreased limb function.
In Sierra Leone, misconceptions about CP are widespread. Children with CP are often wrongly labeled as “devils,” “witches,” or “snakes,” and some believe the condition results from money rituals. These myths contribute to the stigma that families and children with CP face daily. However, the Enable The Children (ETC) program aims to change this narrative, empowering families and their children to live more fully and inclusively.
ETC’s Support and Interventions
Approximately 80% of the children supported by the ETC program are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The program provides a range of interventions designed to help children improve their quality of life. These interventions include physiotherapy exercises and stretches that aid in mobility and muscle strength. To support proper positioning and prevent contractures—where muscle fibers tighten, making joints difficult to move—the program also supplies locally made chairs, standing frames, and splints.
Occupational therapy is another key aspect of ETC’s work. Through it, children learn vital life skills, such as washing, dressing, and feeding themselves, which fosters independence and confidence. Given the complex nature of CP and the associated stigma, the pastoral and social work team at ETC provides counseling and community sensitization, helping families find emotional support and understand their children’s potential.
Empowering Children and Families
The impact of ETC’s work extends beyond physical support. By educating communities, providing therapy, and offering emotional and social support, the program helps dismantle misconceptions about cerebral palsy. It empowers families and their children to live fuller, more dignified lives, and encourages communities to embrace and include those living with disabilities.
Through the efforts of programs like ETC, children with CP in Sierra Leone are given the chance to thrive, be seen for their unique abilities, and pursue a brighter future.
Ambrose George
Rehabilitation Therapist – ETC
World Hope International – Sierral Leone