The Children of Efate Island
Vanuatu is Nambawan!
“Nambawan!” is Bislama (the language spoken in Vanuatu) for “really good!” or “the best!” and it became a well known phrase to us on this, my second trip to Vanuatu with the Altus Resource Trust. Working alongside the Vanuatu Disability Society was vital for accessing and connecting with often remote families who required our assistance and mobile services around the island of Efate. Altus Resource Trust has established a working rapport with the Vanuatu Disability Society and visits Vanuatu three to four times a year.
So what is it like to use Occupational Therapy skills in Vanuatu?
There are no OTs in Vanuatu and only a few Physiotherapists who work in the hospital. All the equipment on the island is donated by countries such as Australia and New Zealand. It takes much problem solving and creative thinking to find the best solution using the limited resources that are available. Companies such as Cubro generously assist with provision of equipment. On this occasion Cubro kindly donated several foam cushions which were a valuable addition to our supplies. They have also donated two wheelchairs which are destined to travel on the next shipment.
Let me introduce you to some of the children who benefit from the generous contributions and donations from companies such as Cubro.
Louis and his brother have developed significant contractures of their upper and lower limbs and require significant postural seating to minimise further upper and lower limb contractures and spinal deformities. We measured up one of Cubro’s wheelchairs (that is yet to be shipped) for this bright young boy and in the interim, the foam cushions from Cubro were able to be cut and custom fitted to his existing wheelchair.
This little guy has a lot of determination! Tearing up the hill using a two wheeled walker, he looks like he’ll lose his balance only to regain it and then charges up the next hill. He is a man on a mission and the terrain does not stop him! We assessed him for a four wheeled walker only to decide to stick with what is working for him for now. We trialled using sticks that his grandmother could hold in front of him which does limit his independence for now, however does encourage a better standing position - a mixture of the two modes of mobility were decided as the best option and we covered the top of the sticks with foam. We also advised on a standing programme with him standing supported in the corner of a wooden seat and a plank in front of him.
Gayrene brightens up the room with her smile and beautiful singing! A revisit demonstrated the importance of the work of Altus Resource Trust as only four months on from my first visit and her chair was able to be grown and the custom foam back and seat reduced to accommodate her sitting posture. Prior to September 2013 she did not own a chair. Her large head from Hydrocephalus prevented her being able to sit up and she previously spent her day laying on the mattress. Now with a chair, she is most excited about being able to go to school.
A Wheelchair for Kids chair was donated from Australia to this young boy, Jaland, and with the use of the foam from Cubro, he was able to be better seated in the chair with some postural control and comfort. Now his family can use the chair to help with the long walk to the local village or church.
Thank you to Cubro for their generosity. It was a humbling experience to have had the privilege of being a part of a trip like this.
- Michelle van den Bergh, OT
