Empowering Parents, Changing Lives
Bringing the Carer-2-Carer Training Program to the Pacific
At Altus Pacific Aid (APA), we’re always searching for meaningful, sustainable ways to support families of children with disabilities in the Pacific Islands. One of our most exciting recent initiatives is the Carer-2-Carer Training Program (C2CTP), a community-based, parent-led education model that has already transformed countless lives in Southern Africa.
The Origins of C2CTP
The C2CTP was first developed over 18 years ago in South Africa by Gillian Saloojee, a paediatric physiotherapist and founder of Malamulele Onward, a nonprofit delivering therapy services and caregiver training in rural communities. With her team, Gillian pioneered the concept of Parent-Led Services, where caregivers/parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP), are trained to support and educate others facing the same challenges.
The concept is simple but powerful: parents who live with the daily realities of CP are uniquely positioned to help others navigate those same challenges. The C2CTP trains caregivers to deliver a series of five workshops on CP to fellow caregivers, offering accessible, culturally appropriate knowledge and practical skills in a supportive and empowering environment.
Why C2CTP Matters in the Pacific
Cerebral palsy is a complex condition with long-term impacts—not only for the child but for their entire family. In the Pacific Islands, access to therapy and support is often limited, and trained field workers may come and go. That’s why APA believes the C2CTP model is a game-changer.
Rather than relying on short-term volunteers or local professionals who may not be available long-term, C2CTP empowers parents—the most consistent figures in a child’s life. It teaches that therapy isn’t just a clinic-based activity; it’s a way of life that can be embedded into everyday routines and family activities. By building knowledge and confidence within families, we’re not just delivering support—we’re building resilience and independence.
Launching C2CTP in the Pacific
In 2023, APA’s Director, Sue Donnell, reached out to Gillian Saloojee to discuss bringing C2CTP to the Pacific Islands. With her full support, we began assembling a team of therapists from across New Zealand, some already involved in APA programs, and others joining for the first time.
We selected Tonga, Vanuatu, and Rarotonga as the first locations to pilot the program. In March 2024, our team connected with the Malamulele Onward staff in South Africa via Zoom for training, an invaluable opportunity to ask questions and learn from their experience.
My Experience Running C2CTP in Tonga
I'm Catherine White, a paediatric physiotherapist based in Auckland. I had the privilege of running the second C2CTP in Tonga in 2024, alongside Jo Byrne, a speech and language therapist from Christchurch.
We delivered the course over five days, covering seven interactive workshops:
What is CP?
CP is a Way of Life
Getting Ready to be Active
Eating and Drinking
Communication
Play
Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)
Each workshop is carefully scripted and supported with visuals and real-life examples, making them easy to deliver even by those without professional backgrounds. Our goal is for future courses to be led by trained parents and field workers from within the community.
We hosted the course at The Mango Tree Centre (MTC), a well-established organisation supporting people with disabilities in Tonga. The MTC helped coordinate everything—from inviting families, to providing lunch and a cool, comfortable venue (much appreciated in the tropical heat!).
Around 30 caregivers, field workers, and community members joined us, with many returning each day. Some parents even brought their children with CP, allowing us to demonstrate therapy techniques in real time—something that proved invaluable for all involved.
We also ran hands-on sessions, including feeding demonstrations, activities simulating visual impairments, and creative workshops using recyclables to make therapeutic play equipment. The atmosphere was positive, collaborative, and full of learning and laughter!
Building Local Capacity
A key aspect of C2CTP is its train-the-trainer approach. With each course, we aim to build up local leaders—parents and field workers—who can eventually run workshops themselves. This ensures the knowledge stays in the community and continues to grow long after we’ve left.
Our partners in Vanuatu and Rarotonga have reported similar success, and we’re excited to see the momentum building.
How You Can Help
This is a big project, and we can’t do it alone. We’re looking for:
Therapists interested in volunteering to help run courses
Funders who can support travel, accommodation, and materials
Partners who can help with printing, logistics, and outreach
If you’re passionate about empowering families and building sustainable change in the Pacific, we’d love to hear from you.
Together, we can equip parents with the tools they need to support their children—and one another.
Interested in volunteering, donating, or learning more?
Please get in touch—we’d be thrilled to have you as part of the C2CTP journey.
