Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Association of Parents and Friends of Children and Young People with Special Needs (Colmeia), which today completes nine years of existence, is preparing a petition, to be delivered to the National Assembly, claiming responses in terms of public policies for families and vulnerable children , in terms of rehabilitation and habilitation .
The association, as its president, Isabel Moniz, told Inforpress, currently has 600 children and young people with special needs in its database, and follows a total of 78 cases.
“We were not able to reach in terms of rehabilitation and qualification for everyone, but we have a work set up in which we support children, young people and children in conditions of disability with care, basic food basket and others”, he explained, adding that Colmeia provides services to 100 children and young people with continuous care.
Partners
Colmeia, he explains, has been working with the support of partners, namely in the distribution of basic food baskets to families, but there are challenges that, in order to be overcome, need funding.
On the other hand, he says that the organization continues with the twelfth of just over 87,000 escudos, despite requests for an increase.
“We continue with the twelfth amount of 87,850 escudos, we have six specialist technicians identified to work in this area and we also support families with 42 escudos to pay for transport and be able to bring their children for care”, he explained.
INPS contribution required
At the level of public policies, “it continues to run after answers” for vulnerable families and children in terms of rehabilitation and habilitation, as well as the contribution of the National Institute of Social Security in treatments.
“These are areas that we have not yet achieved and that, over the years, we have been talking with the public authorities in order for Cape Verde to have an early intervention service and vocational screening work so that we can empower young people with disabilities with professional training ”, explains Moniz, reinforcing the lack of reimbursement in the INPS contributory system.
It is, according to him, a question of “human rights”, to which Cape Verde has not yet been able to provide answers, noting also the lack of support teachers in terms of education and content work for children with disabilities who are studying.
Petition launched on the 21st
Based on these claims, a petition will be launched on the 21st of this month, addressed to the National Assembly, requesting a decision from the public authorities. The aim is to collect 3,000 signatures.
The Association of Parents and Friends of Children and Young People with Special Needs was formed on April 16, 2014 and its main mission is to raise awareness among our population and public authorities on the issue of disability, to create responses and opportunities for each citizen. who may be in a condition of disability.
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