Celebrating successes at HapFam After three years of hard, dedicated work, individuals and agencies in Liberia are beginning to recognize how HapFam's innovative model is not only benefiting children with special needs, but also their parents and their entire communities! Currently, HapFam is finalizing a number partnership agreements with both government agencies and international NGOs. - Representatives from the Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO) and The Carter Center visited HapFam in early April, and have agreed to coordinate linkages to services that include educational material support and trainings, transportation, psychosocial services, and medical consultations.
- Friends of Liberia, an organization run by former Peace Corps Liberia volunteers, donated relevant educational materials to support basic literacy goals. Last year, Friends of Liberia financed the installation of a much-needed hand pump for the Center.
- New agreements with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will give HapFam access to funds dedicated to supporting children with disabilites and inclusive education in the government’s social welfare budget.
Taken together, these new commitments are furthering a vision of service and inclusion at the grassroots level, and supports a national strategy for addressing the needs of Liberians with disabilities.
The work continues via workshops and programming that displays the students’ talents and interests with their peers outside of the school, HapFam continues to encourage open community participation and involvement, in an effort to overcome barriers created by long-held traditional beliefs.
We're excited about the progress. If you are too, and want to support a grassroots initiatives that works, you can donate by clicking here. With gratitude, Penelope & Megan The Niapele Project Ps. Photos/videos from Penelope's trip to Liberia in March are up on Flickr. Check out the HapFam set, as well as the School Nutrition Initiative collection! Donate Now |
