The Austrian aid organization “Licht für die Welt” (“light for the world”) has launched a new campaign called “Herzenskind”, in favour of disabled children in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The action is aimed at improving the conditions and opportunities of disabled children: “With our campaign, we aim to enable these children to live a decent life and secure them an independent future”, said Rupert Roniger, director of the charity, during a press conference held in Vienna on 12 September. There are an estimated 45 million disabled children in the developing countries, exposed to the risk of high infant mortality due to poverty and handicaps. Henry Simile, general secretary of the “Information Centre on Disability” in Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), who was present at the meeting, explained that the access of disabled children to medical assistance and education was a rare event in his country. Schooling and medical treatment are essential for the survival of these children, and therefore: “Rehabilitation and education are the key for a better future”. The Austrian aid organization has pledged to help these children by providing them with medical assistance, drugs, schooling and fostering their integration into society. The funds are collected by voluntary donations of 25 euros per month per child. At the present time, explained Roniger, some 14,000 children are being assisted by the organization. But he stressed that the children “will only have a chance if we find persons who are willing to support them on a regular basis”.
