Problem Description
The wars in Eritrea (the 30‑year War of Independence from 1961–1991 and the border war of 1999/2000) not only had negative effects on the country’s economic situation but, above all, on the lives and health of the Eritrean population.
More than 20,000 people (men and women, young and old) have been living with physical disabilities as a result of these wars. Although the capital city Asmara has the Denden Center for the Physically Disabled, which provides space for around 350 severely disabled individuals, it lacks an adequately equipped department where people can alleviate or treat their physical and often associated psychological suffering.
A large number of the residents of the Denden Center feel excluded from social life due to their disabilities and suffer from the monotony of daily life in the institution. Some pass the time playing cards, others distract themselves with alcohol or smoking, while many simply sit around in resignation. Unfortunately, the center does not offer psychotherapeutic treatment, occupational therapy, or activity‑based therapy, nor does it have equipment for fitness or physiotherapy. Lack of physical activity, boredom, hopelessness, and sadness are the consequences of this difficult living situation. Since the residents possess little to no money, they cannot afford therapy outside the facility.
Solution
To address the problems described above, the idea emerged to establish a physiotherapy and fitness center. However, this center could not be built without external support. For this reason, the Eritrean Association for the Physically Disabled in Stuttgart e.V. approached the W.P. Schmitz Foundation in Düsseldorf and submitted an official project proposal outlining the problem and the project’s objectives. Fortunately, the Schmitz Foundation approved the proposal and agreed to finance 75% of the project costs.
Once the financial hurdle was overcome, planning for the center began. Together with the local association in Eritrea and the affected target group, the necessary fitness equipment was identified. It quickly became clear that used fitness machines that function without electricity would be required. Due to the unreliable power supply in Eritrea, it was essential to ensure that disabled individuals would not depend on electricity to train.
After an extensive search, the association discovered Physiobuy in Steinfurt and was able to purchase disability‑friendly fitness equipment. These were shipped to Eritrea by sea. A building was provided by the local association, but before it could be used, renovation work and structural adjustments to the entrance area were necessary. After the successful renovation, the equipment was installed.
On April 18, 2018, the fitness and rehabilitation center at the Denden Center for the Physically Disabled in Asmara was officially opened. Among the guests were the Minister of Health, Ms. Amna Nurhussein, and the Minister of Social Affairs, Ms. Luul Ghebreab.
The center is open seven days a week, allowing physically disabled individuals to train regularly. A trained physiotherapist has been hired and is available five days a week, both in the mornings and afternoons. The presence of the physiotherapist ensures that each person receives therapy tailored to their needs. Since most residents had little prior experience with fitness equipment, it was essential to employ an experienced professional who could ensure correct and safe use of the machines.
The following activities are planned:
- Individual training plans
- Manual therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Equipment‑based movement therapy
- Movement therapy
- Fitness training
- Counseling
The disability center is located in a former U.S. military barracks, which also houses a small clinic for disabled individuals. The clinic is staffed by a doctor, a physiotherapist, and several nurses and caregivers. After the completion of the therapy practice, its administration and supervision were transferred to the clinic. Our experience working with the clinic and its management has always been positive. After one year of operation, the ongoing costs for the fitness and physiotherapy center, as well as the costs for the supervisor, were taken over by the partner organization and our association.
Benefits
By establishing a fitness and rehabilitation center for physical and psychological therapy, and by equipping the facility with fitness machines, disabled individuals can, under the guidance of trained professionals:
- regain confidence in their physical strength and abilities
- train their muscles to improve mobility and bodily function, potentially enabling them to re‑enter the workforce
- experience initiative, activity, and joy through physical exercise and new bodily experiences
- find distraction from the monotonous daily routine of the clinic and from post‑traumatic war experiences
- gain courage and hope that new perspectives may open up in their lives
- be diverted from alcohol, gambling, and nicotine addiction, or possibly overcome these coping mechanisms
- experience success on the equipment, giving them new goals and helping them regain control over their lives and engage in productive activities