In 1992 three mothers with Down’s Syndrome children founded the Down’s Support group in Swakopmund to establish a parent-to-parent “helpline”. From their own experience it was clear to them that parents with handicapped children need a lot of support, both for themselves and for their handicapped children. Although initially it catered for children with Down’s Syndrome it was soon extended to include all handicapped children. In 1995 we changed our name to C.H.A.I.N.

OUR AIMS

• To initiate Early Intervention Units offering services to all young handicapped Namibian children.
• To generate funding in order to bring specialists to Namibia for consultation and advice.
• To provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy and family therapy.
• To mobilize the parents of the children to be actively involved in their children’s development on the basis of “help to help themselves”.
• To assist the children to develop to their full potential and adjust to everyday life.
• To facilitate integration into the community by working with kindergartens and schools.