The Research

In November 2007 Partners in Hope commissioned a major piece of research from Russian based agency GFK and funded by our partners Ernst & Young , Clifford Chance and Renaissance Group. 

Its purpose to understand the  current provision of care offered to children with learning difficulties and special needs. 

Those interviewed included the NGO service providers, the Ministries of Education and Social Services and Healthcare, the children with special needs and their parents, and the business  community. 

Positive Signs of Change

In the research conducted by Partners in Hope, when interviewed all the young orphan graduates had hopes of education and getting a job.  Backed by new understanding of the damage caused to children through the narrowness of institutional care, parents are increasingly keeping their children at home (Down Syndrome, 105 born in 2006, 50 kept  at home )

Unicef is working closely with the government on a school’s integration programme, there is increased service provision for parents with the emergence of new NGO’s and increased access to government funding.

Vitally, there is a growing awareness among the business community of its role in the community and the part it can play to positively affect social change and impact.

Next Stage

Lack of services providing healthcare and education for children and young people with a disability is the primary challenge.  More facilities would mean more children and young adults having the opportunity to stay within the family unit with the recognised benefits this brings.