LIVING WITH A DISABILITY IN SWAZILAND.
It is estimated there are more than 115,000 people living with a disability in Swaziland, or 10% of the total population. This figure continues to increase due to the incidence of chronic disease, injuries, car crashes and violence. The situation is further compromised by Swaziland having the highest rate of HIV in the world.

Living with a disability in Swaziland presents significant challenges. There is a general belief that those who have a disability are bewitched or inflicted by bad spirits. Many believe that being around people with a disability can bring bad luck. As a result, many people with disabilities are hidden in their homesteads and are not given an opportunity to participate and contribute to society.

People living with a disability not only face challenges due to myths and misunderstandings, but also due to the significant lack of:

• health and therapy rehabilitative services
• educational opportunities
• accessibility to building and transport
• employment opportunities
• social welfare supports

All of these factors contribute to create a challenging environment where people with a disability are marginalized and discriminated against and not able to actively engage and participate in Swazi society

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WHAT SERVICES DO WE PROVIDE

Cheshire Homes of Swaziland is the only comprehensive rehabilitative centre in the country. Some of the services we provide include:

Outpatient Clinic

The outpatient clinic provides physiotherapy and occupational therapy services. The clinic provides therapy to a vast range of conditions including paraplegia, stroke, arthritis and back pain.
The therapy team is currently observing an alarming increase in the number of people aged 24-49 years, presenting with unspecified neuropathies and strokes related to HIV.

Residence

Cheshire Homes Swaziland has a 20 bed residential unit which provides comprehensive rehabilitation for people who require intensive therapy. This is the only residential rehabilitative service in the country.
The rehabilitation program in the unit focuses on preparing people for their return to their communities. People are taught how to participate in everyday activities including washing, cooking and cleaning with their newly acquired disability. The residents also receive daily physiotherapy treatment.

People who stay at the residence are required to have a family member live with them. This ensures family members can be part of the rehabilitative process. They are taught how to assist their loved one and move and transfer. They are also taught daily exercise regimes to ensure there is ongoing therapy gains upon returning home.
Cheshire Home would like to expand the rehabilitative program within the residential unit. Two primary areas requiring attention include:

• Raised garden beds: Food security is often ignored for people with a disability. Swaziland is currently experiencing a drought. Coupled with the highest rate of HIV in the world and the importance of food nutrition when taking ARVs it is vital this issue is explored. Teaching people how to build and maintain a raised garden bed using water conservation principles is one way forward which Cheshire Homes would like to investigate.
• Vocational rehabilitation: A vital component of a comprehensive rehabilitation program is vocational retraining. Staff at Cheshire Homes are currently exploring vocational rehabilitation opportunities.

Children’s Clinic

Cheshire Homes Swaziland provides the only children’s therapy clinic in the country. The children have individual therapy programs working towards reaching their appropriate developmental milestones. Family members are encouraged to attend and actively participate in the clinics, learning important exercise regimes which they can continue with the child in their home environment. The clinics also provide an opportunity for parents and caregivers to meet and share experiences and offer each other support.

Community Based Outreach

Cheshire Homes Swaziland currently provides an outreach rehabilitative service in other regions. The National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) is financially assisting this program in recognition of inherent link between HIV and disability related issues. The program provides rehabilitative services to people living in their homes and to their families, health workers and other community volunteers. It also provides vitally needed disability awareness messages in the fight against discrimination.

Cheshire Home would like to expand this program to other areas to help overcome accessibility issues for people living in rural areas.
(TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING)

Advice and limited provision of assistive technology

Therapy staff provide advice on assistive technology. The staff are also constantly trying to locate donors to provide assistive technology devices including wheelchairs, walking frames and crutches to people who are unable to purchase these items.

Transport service

Cheshire Homes provides a daily transport services between the Centre and the surrounding areas. The local transport system does not cater for people with mobility issues and is therefore an essential component of our service.
Cheshire Homes Swaziland would like to procure a wheelchair friendly bus to minimize the manual handling demands placed on the staff and clients using this service.

Liaison and training

Cheshire Homes Swaziland maintains close liaison and contact with other health institutions, non-governmental organizations with similar inclinations, as well as companies and industries.
Cheshire Homes also offers training in rehabilitation skills to health personnel from institutions which do not have the services of qualified staff.

WHO USES OUR SERVICES

Cheshire Homes Swaziland accepts all modes of referrals. Registration is made following assessment by the therapy team. As a result, people attending Cheshire Homes come from all walks of life and their disability result from a range of different causes including injury, impairment from birth, illness and degenerative diseases.

Once active medical treatment has been completed the rehabilitation process begins. This process can help people build or regain independence in their lives and be active participants in their community life - this is the role of rehabilitation

TESTIMONIALS

Patrick Ngwenya, Age 32 from Matsapha

Patrick was originally diagnosed with TB of the spine more than two years ago. Doctors told him that he would never walk again. When he initially came to Cheshire Homes, he used a wheelchair to move around the Centre. After months of intensive rehabilitation, he has continually improved to the point where he is now using only one crutch for balance. He had previously lived at the residence for a number of months, but is now using our transport service to come in on Monday and Wednesdays for outpatient therapy. Our staff is also assisting Patrick in regaining employment at a local meat butchery.

Sibusisiwe Maduna, Age 7 from Bhekinkosi

Sibusisiwe was enjoying a typical Swazi life until about three months ago. During a school field trip, she contracted meningitis and was not properly treated until the illness had done extensive damage. She and her mother have been coming to Cheshire Homes since the beginning of October. Sibusisiwe has shown great improvement during this time, learning to sit and stand properly. Her mother is especially grateful for the rehabilitation provided at the Centre, including training from the therapists on how to properly care for a child with special needs.

Khanyisile Mziyako, Age 31 from Piggs Peak

A number of patients who come to Cheshire Homes are disabled as a result of vehicle accidents. Khanyisile is one such person. She can be frequently seen at Cheshire Homes, brightening everyone’s day with her smile. She has been living at the residence for a number of months and receives daily treatment from our therapists. As part of her rehabilitation program, she has been learning to do activities in her wheelchair such as cooking and cleaning. It is the hope of our organization that every individual who comes through our doors is better prepared to reenter the broader society once they leave.

FINANCING

Cheshire Homes operates solely on voluntary donations, fund raising activities, and nominal fees charged for treatment.
Charges are made for use of residence based on income of the individual. For those with no fixed income, special arrangements are made to facilitate their admittance to the Centre.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Making donations and in-kind gifts (see donation section for more info).
Telling others about the home;
Assisting with fund-raising campaigns;
Visiting the Home, and offering your services;
Being available to help with community work.

For further information please contact us at:

Cheshire Homes of Swaziland
P.O. Box 713
Manzini M200
Swaziland

Telephone/Fax: (+268) 518 6334

E-mail: info@cheshire.org.sz

Hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm

e-mail: realim@realnet.co.sz