The Straight Child Foundation 2025 Official Bulletin
adminKOHULA Bulletin (Vol. 4, No. 1 – November 2025):
Advancing Hope, Inclusion, and Care for Children with Disabilities
KOHULA, the official bulletin of The Straight Child Foundation (TSCF), is a powerful advocacy and impact publication dedicated to improving the lives of children living with clubfoot, cerebral palsy (CP), and other childhood disabilities in Nigeria. The November 2025 edition highlights eight years of sustained intervention, community engagement, and systemic advocacy, underpinned by the Foundation’s vision of “a life beyond limits.”
Core Focus of This Edition
This volume brings together expert insights, lived experiences, and field data to spotlight how early intervention, inclusive care, and societal awareness can radically transform outcomes for children with disabilities and their families. It emphasizes a holistic model of care that goes beyond medical treatment to include mental health, nutrition, protection, therapy, and cultural re-orientation.
Key Highlights and Themes
1. Transformational Impact in Clubfoot and Cerebral Palsy Care
TSCF’s partnership with MiracleFeet Inc. has enabled free, high-quality clubfoot treatment across 11 Nigerian states, strengthening over 22 government health facilities. Since 2018:
- Over 3,500 children have been enrolled in clubfoot treatment.
- More than 330 healthcare providers trained in the Ponseti Method.
- Over 2,000 frontline workers trained in early detection and referral.
In parallel, TSCF’s CP interventions have provided free physiotherapy, assistive devices, surgeries, counseling, and parent support programs, directly supporting over 100 families and improving functional outcomes for children living with cerebral palsy.
2. Mental Health and Parental Resilience
A major feature of this edition is its focus on the emotional and psychological well-being of parents. Articles address grief, acceptance, resilience-building, and the importance of community and professional psychological support. The publication reinforces that caring for a child with a disability is not only a medical journey but also a deeply emotional one requiring sustained mental health support.
3. Smart Nutrition for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Medical experts contribute evidence-based guidance on nutrition tailored to children with CP, addressing challenges such as dysphagia, poor digestion, and bone health. The bulletin outlines essential nutrients, dietary strategies, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving dietitians, therapists, and clinicians to improve growth, strength, and quality of life.
4. Child Protection and Disability Rights
KOHULA raises a strong advocacy voice on protecting children with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, noting their heightened vulnerability in Nigeria due to stigma, poverty, and weak enforcement of existing laws. The publication calls for:
- Inclusive schools and healthcare facilities
- Stronger family and social protection systems
- Enforcement of the Child Rights Act and Disability Act
- Accessible reporting and response mechanisms for abuse
5. Speech Therapy and Communication Development
The bulletin underscores the transformative role of speech therapy in enabling children with disabilities to communicate, learn, and build confidence. It advocates for early intervention, increased availability of trained therapists, and broader access to alternative communication tools such as AAC devices.
6. Tackling Stigma, Discrimination, and Harmful Cultural Beliefs
Several articles critically examine how cultural misconceptions, including beliefs linking disability to curses or witchcraft, fuel stigma and exclusion. TSCF reaffirms its commitment to advocacy, community education, and engagement with traditional and religious leaders to replace myths with fact-based understanding and compassion.
7. Practical Home-Based Rehabilitation and Early Detection
The edition provides simple, parent-led home exercises for children with clubfoot and CP, reinforcing clinic-based therapy. It also details TSCF’s Early Detection and Referral (EDR) strategy, including the “Each One, Reach One” campaign, which mobilizes community gatekeepers to identify and refer children early for free treatment.
A Call to Action
More than a newsletter, KOHULA serves as a movement for inclusion, dignity, and equity. It calls on families, professionals, policymakers, and communities to work together to ensure that no child is denied care, protection, or opportunity because of disability.
This edition stands as both a record of impact and a roadmap for the future—one where every child is seen, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Download the full KOHULA Bulletin (Vol. 4, No. 1 – November 2025)