ASSERT is an East Timorese NGO, established in partnership with the Cambodia Trust.
East Timor is the youngest nation on earth. Now four years old and recovering from its occupation and subsequent destruction, it is rebuilding infrastructure, health and social services, education and government.
The fledgling Government is keen to uphold and promote human rights, and to ensure that disabled people are included in every aspect of society, rather than being pushed to the edges of society, as they are now.
However, at present there is no local expertise and few services exist for disabled people. Many disabled people living in rural areas cannot even access primary health care.
The Cambodia Trust, in partnership with local NGOs, organisations representing disabled people and community groups, has established ASSERT, an East Timorese NGO which aims to:
Establish East Timor's first rehabilitation centre offering physical rehabilitation (prosthetic limbs, orthopaedic braces, wheelchairs, mobility aids and physiotherapy) - the Timor Loro Sa'e Centre for Physical Rehabilitation.
Train local staff in specialist skills such as prosthetics, orthotics and physiotherapy.
Establish and develop a local organization to coordinate services for disabled people.
Increase the inclusion of disabled people in education, training and poverty reduction projects.
Formulate an action plan in line with Government aspirations for the provision of services for disabled people.
After several years of planning, the Timor Loro Sa'e Centre for Physical Rehabilitation opened in April 2005. The Cambodia Trust facilitates, manages and develops the rehabilitation centre, based on the model of its rehabilitation centres in Cambodia, while training local staff who will eventually take over the running of the project.
Please visit www.AssertEastTimor.com for further information