Health Action Overseas is a registered Irish Charity, offering training, therapy and developing special education programmes for children and young people with disabilities overseas.
HAO works in partnership with local and government authorities in host countries to promote a rights-based approach to disability service provision, as well as the promotion of social integration for people with disabilities.
Romania, China & Albania
Our first initiatives were established in Romania in 1991 (working as “Babies of Romania”) and our activities have progressed from offering emergency relief to setting up educational and therapy programmes. The results of our work have been staggering for our service users, improving their mobility and making them part of the fabric of their local communities.
We have established a local, independent agency in Romania, FVB (Fundatia Pentru o Viata maiBuna) to continue this work and raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities to access services and lead fulfilling lives.
HAO also ran a Counselling programme for women and girls to combat domestic violence in Albania.
In 1997 we began a Special Education programme in China as well as providing Special Needs teacher training in Guizhou, one of the poorest provinces in China. Volunteers on this programme have also provided practical support to local Special Needs schools and orphanages with the provision of educational materials and resources.
HAO is primarily funded by private voluntary donations and bequests, with some statutory funding sources. We are a registered Irish charity with no religious or political affiliations. |
