Disability Rights Pakistan Project #64062

Make disability equipment for children in Pakistan

by MAITS - Multi-Agency International Training and Support

Project Report | Apr 4, 2025
Exciting Progress - Your Support Still Needed

By Jenny Simpson | Project Coordinator

We are delighted to update you on the progress of our project and the impact your generosity is making. We are currently in the planning stages for our first training session, scheduled for November, which will be hosted at ACELP. There, four experienced trainers will help us lay the foundation for a sustainable and meaningful programme.

In September, four local trainers will deliver basic training on Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT) to a group of 25-30 trainees from four different organisations. Each team will include two qualified therapists and 2-4 technical staff members, ensuring a strong knowledge base across different sectors.

Building on this foundation, an advanced-level training will take place at the end of November. During this session, all 30 trainees will learn to create specialised assistive equipment, including standing frames, feeding chairs, and corner chairs. Our ultimate goal is for each of the four organisations to produce 50 pieces of this much-needed, eco-friendly equipment annually—making a real difference in the lives of many while promoting sustainable, locally produced solutions.

Now, more than ever, we need your support to make this initiative a success. Your generous donation will help us deliver high-quality training, empower local professionals, and ensure that children in need have access to locally made, affordable, life-changing equipment.

Please consider making a donation today. Together, we can create lasting impact.

With gratitude,

The MAITS Team

Permalink

Dec 17, 2024
Update on the progress of this project

By Jenny Simpson | Project Coordinator

Aug 23, 2024
Seeking more funding to be able to start

By Jenny Simpson | Project Coordinator

Adjusting an APT-manufactured chair in Nepal

We are actively seeking more funding to be able to begin implementing this project. So far we have rasied $165 but we need at least $10,000 to begin. We would like to start as soon as possible.

Through our grants scheme to attend training, MAITS funded the 3 therapists and 1 carpenter from ACELP, Karachi, who attended basic APT training Nepal in October 2022, to return for the train the trainer training in April 2024. It covered how to make, assemble and finish stools, a special chair, standing frames, wedges and toys. The trainers are keen to apply what they have learned in Nepal to their professional lives in Pakistan.

Here is an excerpt from a post that trainer Nazia wrote about her experience:

APT (Appropriate Paper based Technology), an amazing technology to recycle paper into useful therapeutic materials for children with special needs... Having attended the basic APT course in October 2022 in Nepal... in April 2024 I completed the TRAIN THE TRAINER course in Nepal. Thanks to MAITS (Multi Agency International Training and Support) for facilitating this wonderful training to serve the underserved. MAITS is indeed doing a wonderful work globally to empower families of children with special needs. Thanks to ACELP for always encouraging these continuous development projects and trainings for better [care for children].

The experience during this training was nothing short of amazing. With 8-10 different organizations coming together sharing multiple ideas and thoughts was indeed a great learning...

The most satisfying moment in the training:

"THE BIG SMILE ON CHILDREN'S FACE AFTER THEY WERE COMFORTABLY POSITIONED ON THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAIR AND STANDING FRAME."

Most important thing I realized during this Train the Trainer Course is:

"YOU LEARN MORE AS A TRAINER/TEACHER THAN AS A STUDENT."

Permalink

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.