This international project targets the following countries: South Africa, Ghana, Gambia, Togo, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.
One common theme for these countries is the lack of diabetes education and psychosocial support for children with type 1 diabetes and their families. Poor management within diabetes, has led to severe complications that are followed by excessive financial burdens, due to cost of treatment of type 1 diabetes and its complications.

Objectives

To strengthen young leaders and local youth arms of IDF member associations from the selected countries, in order to support children and youth to live better lives with Type1 diabetes in the affected countries. The fundamental of this initiative is based on hosting a workshop, to train young leaders and health care professionals in the given countries.

Approach

The following initiatives shape the content of the project.

The project will host a 10 days’ workshop in South Africa for IDF African Young Leaders and health care professionals from IDF member associations of participating countries. The health care professionals are closely connected to the member associations. These will provide support to the young leader, regarding camp management, day events and knowledge about diabetes structures in each country.

Members of Life for a Child and Diabetes Education and Camping Association will attend the camp to assist with manual development.

There will be produced new patient education materials, for children with Type 1 DM, their families and caregivers. These will be country-specific and in local languages.

Within 3 month after returning from the South African training workshop, the member association and Young Leader will host one diabetes educational day event for children, families and caregivers. (Not funded by WDF)
The project will furthermore host at least one country-level camp, in each member country, for local children with Type 1 DM. This is done within 12 months after completion of the training in South Africa and will include health care professionals from member associations.

Expected results
• Diabetes camps for recruited children in each country, in total 180 children
• Improved data collection and patient registries
• Educational day events in each country, in total 120 children
• Patient educational material produced

Results achieved:

• Diabetes camps and events reach 328 young people and 133 of their parents/caregivers
• Database and registry established
• 10 educational youth camps and day events conducted, in total 132 children
• Camp manual and associated tools developed
• 6 participating countries hosted a one-day diabetes educational event for children and their parents/caregivers
• 56 Health personnel, educators and others trained in camp-management and care improvement. 50 volunteers involved
• Training workshop in organisation of camps conducted for six IDF Young Leaders accompanied by six health care providers