Bruna and Luigi Center

This center provides a home for children affected by cerebral palsy and their families. Every day, the staff of the center work tirelessly not only to provide care and therapies to the children with disabilities but also to educate families and the community. Their goal is to overcome the stigma associated with mental illness and promote a better understanding of these conditions.

How the project was born

The Bruna e Luigi center was born out of the careful observation and work of the neuropsychologists and neurologists who volunteered with our organization. During their missions, they witnessed how the lack of appropriate facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of children with cerebral palsy severely hindered their potential for improvement—both in terms of motor skills, cognitive abilities, and communication.

After the successful establishment of the Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment Center, AGAPE decided to move forward with the creation of this specialized center. It was designed and implemented in collaboration with the Congolese organization Elikia Na Biso, which has been working for years on disability issues, with a particular focus on school and social integration, and the Moninga Association from Modena, which shared the need and goal of creating such a center.

THE CONTEXT

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country where the percentage of families living in extreme poverty remains very high, making it extremely difficult to care for children with disabilities who require constant attention and medical care. This reality often leads to a high rate of abandonment of children, even those who are newly born.

In addition to this, disability is still considered an “indicator” of witchcraft in the region, which results in a strong stigma not only for the children themselves but also for their families. These families are often ostracized and excluded from their communities, further exacerbating their already difficult situation.

CHILDREN SUPPORTED DAILY

The impact

In addition to the physical construction of the center, the expertise of the Elikia Na Biso operators has enabled the creation of a comprehensive training program for Congolese healthcare workers who now operate within the facility. The work done with the children is closely accompanied by their parents, step by step, to equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary for the proper care and management of their children.

This approach allows families to find in the center a reliable point of reference and ongoing support for the challenging daily care of their children with disabilities. The collaboration between healthcare professionals and parents has helped to create a sustainable system for the long-term well-being of the children.

Partners

Elikia Na Biso

Sinapsy Centro di Neuropsicologia e di Riabilitazione Cognitiva

Annual Project Costs: 36.000 €

Contatti

Sede Legale: Largo Città dei Ragazzi, 1 - 00163, Roma.

Sede Operativa: Largo Città dei Ragazzi, 1 - 00163, Roma.

06 66180276

info@agapeets.org

C.F. 96329390585 - P.I. 09173431009

Design by AGAPE ETS