In parts of Ghana, particularly in the Northern and Volta regions, harmful cultural beliefs continue to endanger the lives of children with disabilities. These children are often viewed as curses, symbols of bad luck, or embodiments of evil. As a result of these deeply rooted misconceptions, many are subjected to severe neglect, abuse, and even death. In some heartbreaking cases, they are abandoned by riversides, left at the base of anthills, or placed beneath large trees in the belief that ancestral spirits will reclaim them. Their mothers—often single or widowed—face the dual burden of caring for a child with special needs while being ostracized by their communities. Lacking access to basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing, these families are pushed to the margins of society, enduring unimaginable hardship.

TEL International believes that every child deserves the right to life, dignity, and opportunity—regardless of ability or circumstance. Through this transformative project, TEL is working to protect and support children with disabilities who are at risk of abandonment and neglect. The program provides essential resources such as nutritious food, clothing, and safe shelter to help meet the most urgent needs of these vulnerable children. To improve mobility and comfort, the project also distributes specialized equipment like wheelchairs, strollers, pushchairs, and gait trainers, making daily life more manageable for children with physical impairments. In addition, TEL is committed to offering long-term solutions by addressing the root causes of neglect through education and empowerment, including raising awareness to challenge harmful cultural beliefs, equipping caregivers with vocational skills to achieve financial independence, and fostering inclusive communities where children with disabilities are valued and protected.

One of the program’s key goals is to provide nourishment to 1,000 malnourished children with disabilities, helping them regain strength and health. Safe living environments will be established to offer stability and security for these children and their caregivers. Importantly, TEL will also partner with special education professionals to provide tailored learning experiences that support the cognitive, emotional, and physical development of each child—helping them reach their fullest potential. Recognizing that empowered mothers can become agents of change, the project also includes a vital component for the single and widowed women caring for disabled children. Through literacy training, skills development, and access to income-generating activities, these women will gain the tools they need to support their families and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

This initiative is not just about survival—it’s about restoring value, inclusion, and opportunity for those who have long been forgotten, empowering them to live with dignity, rebuild their lives, and actively participate in a society that once rejected them. With compassion, resources, and community support, TEL is working to break the cycle of stigma and abandonment, creating a future where every child is seen, loved, and given the chance to thrive—regardless of their physical or mental abilities—while building stronger, more inclusive communities that embrace diversity and uphold the dignity of all.

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