DownsEd launches Global Education Fund

Today is World Down Syndrome Day – a day to consider the lives of people who have Down syndrome, wherever they live. Around the world, 225,000 babies will be born with Down syndrome this year. 206,000 of these babies will be born in developing countries.

Almost all of the 200,000 children who will be born in high income countries during the next decade will survive to adulthood. They will receive knowledgeable medical care, additional educational support and live in societies that have become, and continue to become, more welcoming and inclusive

Without action now, half of the 2 million babies who will be born in low and middle income countries during the next decade will not live for even a few years and many will be discarded by the societies into which they are born and left to helplessly wither away, devoid of human care in repugnant institutions

We want to do something about this injustice and are starting to do so. We are beginning to work with families, support groups and NGOs around the world to identify practical ways in which we can help to improve the care given to young people who have Down syndrome

Almost all of the 200,000 children who will be born in high income countries during the next decade will survive to adulthood. They will receive knowledgeable medical care, additional educational support and live in societies that have become, and continue to become, more welcoming and inclusive. These children can now look forward to richer and more fulfilling lives lasting in excess of 60 years.

Preventable deaths

Without action now, half of the 2 million babies who will be born in low and middle income countries during the next decade will not live for even a few years. Many will die during their first two years of life from malnourishment, treatable diseases or medical conditions. Many will be discarded by the societies into which they are born and left to helplessly wither away, devoid of human care in repugnant institutions.

Neglect and exclusion

For the luckier ones who survive, abuse, neglect and exclusion are too common. Many health and educations systems are ill-prepared to provide knowledgeable care and support for young people with Down syndrome.

In short, 1.5 million young people who have Down syndrome today live lives not experienced by people living with Down syndrome in the West for over 40 years. Despite the bold Millennium Development Goals, international aid disproportionately fails to reach children with learning disabilities.

In the midst of so many global problems, the needs of some of the neediest are not being met.

Doing something about it

We want to do something about this injustice and are starting to do so. We are beginning to work with families, support groups and NGOs around the world to identify practical ways in which we can help to improve the care given to young people who have Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Education International has been at the heart of cognitive, developmental and educational research, advice and information services that have brought many of the improvements enjoyed by young people with Down syndrome living in many high income countries today. We already work hard to communicate knowledge and evidence-based advice to a global audience.

But this, alone, is not enough. We need to reach out to families, support groups, associations, NGOs and governmental organisations on the ground, providing hands-on advice, training and translated resources. We have begun outreach work in Eastern Europe and Southern Asia, supporting young people with Down syndrome and their families, training professionals and advising governments.

This is a start, but now we need your help to do more.

A new Global Education Fund

Today we are officially launching the Down Syndrome Global Education Fund. This fund will specifically support work to improve the lives of all young people with Down syndrome wherever they live with a particular focus on those most in need.

Our first goal is to raise £225,000 ($340,000 or €270,000) - just £1.00 ($1.50 or €1.20) for each baby who will be born with Down syndrome this year.

This will fund direct support, training and outreach services on the ground in at least 10 low and middle income countries this year.

It will also fund a global survey of needs to more precisely identify the most effective ways to help and preparatory work for larger outreach projects in more countries.

What you can do

If every person who reads this news item today gives £50 ($75 or €60), then we would quickly reach this goal and be able to begin transforming the lives of thousands of children with Down syndrome around the world within weeks.

Since it is World Down Syndrome Day, you could also forward this plea to 21 friends and ask them to also support this cause and help to make World Down Syndrome Day 2009 a day to remember for future generations of people with Down syndrome.

World Down Syndrome Day only comes around once every year. By giving the equivalent of less than £1.00 ($1.50 or €1.20) per week you can help make a difference for people with Down syndrome wherever they live.

How to give

You can donate to the Global Education Fund through Down Syndrome Education International, a UK registered charity, by pledging your donation securely online:

• Visit https://secure.downsed.org/donate/ and select "Global Education Fund" as the specified purpose of your donation

You can also donate to the Global Education Fund through Down Syndrome Education USA, a 501(c)(3) US nonprofit:

• Visit https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=29401 and select "Global Education Fund" as the specified purpose of your donation

Alternatively, you post a check, payable to either organisation (addresses below). Please enclose a note indicating that you wish the donation to support the Global Education Fund.

Help us prolong the lives of 1 million children with Down syndrome. Help us make the second decade of the 21st century one in which no child who is born with Down syndrome is left behind.

Please give what you can afford.

Thank you,

Frank Buckley
Chief Executive, Down Syndrome Education International
CEO/President, Down Syndrome Education USA

Comments

[Shashikala]

Hi,
I am Shashikala from India.
The article what u uploaded is very nice and the work what u are doing is just fantastic.Can I get any help of ur organization in India?
Thanking You
Shashikala

[jacqueline canaan]

Hi I am jacqueline from dominican republic I have a son 18 years old he is a down sindrome boy very inteligent I live in a town named La \vega and we dont have any school here but I am american citizen and my son too so I want to go to USA but I dont have any family in united state and we dont have any place where we can stay until we have a place to live I apreciate your information or help thank you very much Jacqueline

[jacqueline canaan]

we need help soon because my son needs to be teach to take care of him self when I die he just have me and I am a 61 years old woman thank you very much and please write to me

[Dr. Manisha Agarwal]

Hi! I'm Manisha from India & have a three month old son with down syndrome ,i want to give him a respectable life and all the special care he needs. Do you have any organisation in india to help these kids.Your website is very informative. I can see some photographs of indian parents being councelled. Where can i get such help

[Esther.Ifeoma Emeye]

Hi I'm Ifeoma from Nigeria , I seriouly need your help. Have a three year old son with down's ,i have no hope for him over here in Nigeria except in the near future. And i would want to give him all the best that life can offer one.I'm currently not working, but would like to work with any of your NGO'S here in Nigeria, in other to better them(i.e Downs children) here in Nigeria. I would like to even be their teacher here in Nigeria or any part of the world because of the care and love I have for them.Please I need a councilling tools for my son ,because there is no school here in Abuja,Nigeria. for him in other to help him cope with Life challenges.Thanks
Posted by: Ifeoma.Nigeria.

[Sayantani Raychaudhuri]

Hi,I am Sayantani from Kolkata,India. My youngest brother is downs syndrome. The typical problem families with these differently abled children face, especially parents is 'what after us'. My parents with other parents with similar challenge have formed an organisation 'Prayas'. Parents along with such children will all stay together, with all facilities, so that, in the unfortunate event of a care taker passing away there will be other parents who will be able to take care of the child. It indeed is some hope! More and more parents are coming together. Hopefully they will be able to reach out to many more in dire need of this sort of support. Construction work is on for 'Prayas' building. I think they all plan to shift there by early next year.

[Muhammad Ali]

Dear Sirs!
I saw this site during searching for the information about down syndrome.
I have a son with down syndrome and i am very much worried about his health and growth. I also need help for my child. He is about 5 years old and could not speak and walk. I am not a rich person and can not afford his health expences. Although I am a Homoeopathic Doctor, but could not understand his always changing deseases. Once he is healed by a medicine and second time that medicine could not effect on him.

[tapas kumar sowmondal]

Hi! I'm tapas from India & have a two years old son with down syndrome ,i want to give him a respectable life and all the special care he needs. Do you have any organisation in india to help these kids.Your website is very informative. I can see some photographs of indian parents being councelled. Where can i get such help

[Ashwin]

Hi i am Ashwin i have 5 years niece with down syndrome, i want to give him a respectable life and all the special care she needs. Do you have any Organisation in India(Mumbai) to help.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1284456305]

EVERYTHING YOU SAY IN THIS INTERNATIONAL PG NEWS IS VERY TRUE.

WE AT INTEGRAR NPO)ARE SERVING THE CHILDREN WITH DS IN A SMALL SECTION OF THE WORLD CALLED HONDURAS, A DEVELOPING COUNTRY LOCATED IN CENTRAL AMERICA, THAT BESIDES UNDERGOING THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS, WE ARE ALSO UNDERGOING A SEVERE POLITICAL CRISIS AS WELL, CAUSED BY THE OUSTING OR SUSSESSION OF THE PRESIDENT OF HONDURAS. ALTHOUGH WE ARE NOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS BECAUSE WE ARE TRULY DOING THE WORK THAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT, THIS POLITIAL CRISIS HAS AFFECTED US SEVERLY AND IT IS DAMAGEING THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AS WELL.
WE OPENED 11 yrs AGO FOR MOST OF THE REASONS MENTIONED IN YOUR ARTICLE. THIS IS AN SOS request consisting of the following: we are on the verge losing some construction funds since we are reaching a deadline and NOT COMPLYING WITH REQUIRED COUNTERPART in order to receive the donation for construction funds from Gov. of Japan, who are requesting we meet 50/50 with funds for our 1st building in our 3.5 acre land, to transfer and provide the services to the 50 DS individuals (within all age groups)assisted on a daily basis at the center, since at present we have overgrown the space provided at our leased location.
We have very good local and USA REFERENCES THAT WILL VALIDATE OUR WORK, TRANSPARENCY AND INTENTIONS. WE HAVE DESIGNS, BUDGET, PHOTOS, ETC.
PLEASE HELP, OR GIVE ME CONTACTS THAT COULD HELP. ALSO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN CHANGEMAKERS´RETHINKING MENTAL HEALTH COMPETITION, WHICH YOU CAN VIEW ON THE NET. -MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

Sincerely, Lucy Mora de Kawas - Executive Director and Co-founder
Tel. in Honduras (504) 3389-9698 or thru a Houston based number(218) 673-3511