Weekday support for those with disabilities was officially
launched at the centre in Badowita today. For
over 2 years, teachers from the RCCI special school have been providing
educational support to those with disabilities at the centre on a Saturday. Now
finally, we can offer support in the week to those who do not go to school.
Initially this is for one morning a week but we hope to expand to two mornings
a week in the next month.
These sessions, although they target those not in school,
are not long-term supposed to replace a normal school environment. Our plans are ambitious (but achievable!) and
we plan to support those not in school in finding suitable places as well as
offering much needed medical and therapeutic support with the support of
contacts in these areas that we are slowly building up on. The plan is for these sessions to be part of
our ‘Disability Resource Centre’, an all-round service that will support those
with disabilities and their families in all areas of their lives covering
education, medical support, financial support, employment opportunities and above
all inclusion!
It has taken a while to get where we are today. We have had to build trust with those who
benefit from the support and get their families on board which has not been an
easy task in a country and area where those with disabilities are often
considered ‘not worth educating’.
When I think about the huge amount of effort that has been
made by so many people to be where we’re at today I feel proud of the journey
that we have all come on and the results speak for themselves.
Parents trust us and come to us often with quite tricky
issues that they remain unsure about how to deal with. Children and young adults look forward to the
disability sessions and there is always a ‘buzz’ at the centre on a Saturday morning
with lots of smiling, laughing faces from children and staff alike. Those with disabilities are more and more
included in the general activities of the centre. Many took part in the Christmas concert and 2
of the young adults with learning disabilities attend the sewing class where
their skills have developed to the point where they are making saleable
handicrafts.
There has also been
tangible progress for those who come regularly for support. Here are a few examples…
Nishanthi, a young adult with a physical disability, had sadly
never had the opportunity to go to school and is now progressing well in
learning to read and write.
Poojani, a young girl
with Down’s Syndrome, who still misses her mum when she comes to the sessions,
but is now able to sit for short periods of time and complete activities that
support the first stages of learning.
Lakshan, who was excluded from mainstream school as he was
considered ‘hyperactive’, now sits, listens and learns. He has speech difficulties but is able to
show the teachers in other ways what he has learnt and how he has progressed.
So we have much to celebrate and so we did! We had the usual lighting of the lamp ceremony
along with some cake. Dhyami, the teacher
from the RCCI School made a short speech and was able to talk to the parents
there about the necessity of regular attendance and supporting with homework! Thanks
to all who have supported with this project, it is really making so much difference
to some of the most vulnerable in Badowita.
Katherine, photos courtesy of Shyla
