Session on Voluntarism and Disability
Date: January 4, 2012. Venue: STEP Office Islamabad Summary Report: In keeping with its tradition of exploring new avenues for growth, Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) arranged an insightful Experience Sharing Session on Disability and Voluntarism. Hayley Nicholls, Children Society UK was the speaker at the occasion. The session was attended by participants from Telenor Pakistan, Sightsaver STEP, VSO Pakistan, Plan International & Society for Special Persons Multan. The Children’s Society is a UK based charity, which works with vulnerable children and young people (CYP) throughout the country: disabled children, runaways, asylum seekers, exploited children, gangs, young offenders and young carers all fall under this project. Hayley, presented the Buddying Project, which aims to increase children and young people access to mainstream activities, increase self esteem and independence. Volunteers are recruited after a vigorous back check and trained to be matched with a disabled young person for one year to meet and entertain on a weekly basis. After the presentation a health discussion followed, where possibilities of implementing a similar concept in Pakistan was also explored. Participants agreed that the Buddying Project has great potential; however, a clear objective needs to be identified for the project to be a success in Pakistan, where ground realities are very different. The event culminated with a note of thanks from Muhammad Atif Sheikh, President STEP and a Group Photo.
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Special Talent Exchange Program 724-G, Street 178, G-11/1, Islamabad Tel: +92 51 2111 331, +92 51 2578 689 Website: www.step.org.pk, email: office@step.org.pk