This year, the Child Development Center (CDC) celebrates its twentieth year of selfless service to humanity.
The organization runs a successful center for children and young adults living with disabilities in Nigeria. It also provides care for these young and disabled persons at “an affordable sliding pay scale system.”
The organization boasts of its ability to provide physical, emotional and social education to disabled children from different socio-economic backgrounds.
In this interview with YNaija, CDC speaks on her mission, objectives and challenges.
1. What is the mission of the Children’s Development Centre (CDC)
Our mission is the provision of appropriate services to an under served population, Nigerian families raising children with disabilities
2. What led to the formation of CDC? Tell us a bit about the history of your NGO?
From personal experiences to professional implementation. Looking at what was available within Nigeria and being dissatisfied . Started 1994 to date. It was a way to address the level and mode of services at both state and Federal levels.
3. In describing your organization you say a ‘place where children and young people with disabilities can have a sense of belonging.’ What do you mean by ‘sense of belonging’?
In order to get the best out of any child, children must have that confidence that they can trust an adult, with children with disabilities, they have experienced many situations, of denial, rejection and just being pushed aside. At CDC we have created an environment where their rights are paramount. There is no stigma, no denial or rejections, regardless of abilities.
4. Do you organize educational programmes for these children?
The centre is a place for well coordinated therapy which supports education. Without therapy, children might not progress in learning. So the main focus is on therapy then education.
5. How many centers do you have across Nigeria?
We had made a fair attempt to develop other centres, funding has always been the issue and limited support.
6. Have you been able to create awareness regarding issues surrounding children with disabilities?
The centre has four main focal areas:
Therapy and education
Building capacity and training
Advocacy and Awareness
Family support
Through our awareness programmes we have developed the disability and U programmes which was held in 21 states out of 36 states, from 2005 to date.
We have presented on numerous programmes both TV and radio shows for the last 20 years.
7. Do you provide medical help for this children and how?
Most children with disabilities do not have medical conditions, that need to be treated. However, if this does arise with have a good network of relevant specialists, that families can have access to, and receive appropriate help.
8. What are the challenges your organization face?
Funding and funding
9. Disability is a highly misunderstood condition in Nigeria. How do you protect these children from social stigma?
Protection comes from social stigma comes from a Creating awareness and improving the profile concerning disabilities.
10. Do you have any public awareness programs?
Yes, this year is our 20th anniversary, theme is compassion, connections: why our communities should care about people with disabilities. We are running this for the next 5years. As there no amount of education and therapy without acceptance and compassion from our communities.
11. Would you say you have achieved your original aims on starting the NGO?
Of course .
Visit CDC website HERE
