In 2020 Glasswaters began a new collaboration with Jan Jeffery and Lineo Kalebe to deliver Physiotherapy services to children with disabilities, focusing on those afflicted with Cerebral Palsy. In 2022 Jan and Lineo created the Physiotherapy and Outreach Program (POP) Lesotho and became a registered, operational non-profit in Lesotho with expanded community-based programs in Maseru, Leribe and Botha-Bothe.
In the words of POP: The Physiotherapy and Outreach Program Lesotho (POP Lesotho) aim is to provide children with disabilities in Lesotho with the support and opportunities they need to help them fulfil their potential. This is achieved by capacity building with care givers in the community, empowering them with physiotherapy skills training, health care knowledge and advice. Also, by using recycled cardboard to make appropriate paper-based technology (APT) to provide assistive equipment to help children sit and stand and through the purchase and recycling of wheelchairs to aid mobility.
POP has a holistic approach to its work and is concerned with the physical, emotional, and social welfare of children with disabilities. It advocates for children’s rights through awareness raising and supports inclusive education through providing and maintaining wheelchairs, enabling environments and promoting positive attitudes and behaviours.
POP has constructed an APT centre at Albia High School, the first of its kind in Lesotho, and has been able to reach and empower community caregiver groups, educate families and medical personnel, and provide supportive assessment and care to many, many children and youth in rural and remote areas.
Currently the POP Collaboration is researching the construction of a CP Centre at Motebang Hospital in Leribe to serve the needs of children and their caregivers.
