From time to time I need to remind myself, and our team, why we do what we do. The purpose of TCI is to train local people in developing nations, we call them rehabilitation promoters, to provide basic therapy services to people in their community. Earlier this year, I shared why there is a need for this work. You can check it out here: https://www.jenniferhoines.com/are-you-the-one-in-three/

So why do we need to train rehabilitation promoters? Here are a few reasons we chose to train local people rather than do the work ourselves:

1.    I could serve as a physical therapist in another country, but the number of people I could serve would be limited. If I trained others to do the work, the efforts are multiplied.  

2.    I could spend years struggling to learn a language, to understand a culture, and to develop relationships within another country. Or, I could partner with those already working in the area to train local people who already speak the language (including local languages), understand the culture and how things work, and have established relationships with people within their community. 

3.    By training local rehabilitation promoters, we take away some of the barriers created when foreigners provide care. 

4.    Training rehabilitation promoters within their own community empowers and equips them to meet the needs within their community.

5.    Training rehabilitation promoters changes their perceptions of people with disabilities. Such changed perceptions eventually impact the community at large.

6. Training rehabilitan promoters provides them a skill that serves people and creates opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ.