Summary

More than half of Romania's children with disabilities are excluded from the educational system or receive inferior education in segregated settings. Orphaned disabled girls in rural, impoverished areas are at risk of abuse, lifetime poverty or being institutionalized if they have no education or skills. If a child doesn't attend school by age 10, she can never go. This project will change girls' futures by providing appropriate education, lowering school dropout rate, and preventing abuse.

Challenge
Children at Delia's Learning Center live in one of the poorest EU regions. Disabled girl often don't attend school or, if they do, have a higher dropout rate than boys. There are no special education teachers or accommodations for physical disabilities. Girls are discriminated against for being in foster care and for disabilities, especially if Roma. 85% of autistic children don't attend school. EU studies show girls with disabilities and unequal access to education have a high risk of abuse.

Solution
Our day center offers education, life skills, speech therapy, nutritional support and adjunct therapies including for autism and Yoga for the Special Needs Child. Many girls attending has trauma from being placed in orphanages and foster care, being abused, or witnessing violence to others. Educational tutoring needs to be supplemented with supportive services for girls to become independent women. We offer the only program in the region with a holistic educational approach.

Long-Term Impact
For most girls, we are their only source of education. Wherever possible, we want to integrate children into mainstream schooling while providing after school tutoring. Our work with girls directly plus building relationships with schools/community will impact at least 200+ people directly in 5 years. Equal education for disabled orphaned girls will prevent exploitation and abuse. It offers an opportunity for adult independence and ability for disabled women to have a livelihood.

The Delia Foundation
LOCATION: Anthem, AZ - USA
WEBSITE: https://www.deliafoundation.org
TWITTER: @deliafoundation