Touched by the plight of children with special needs, the Keeping It Real Foundation (KIR) a non governmental organization, has rendered assistance to the school for the handicapped at Creek Road, Port Harcourt.
Books and 5 leappads were given out in addition with certificate to those who have performed excellently. A total of half a million was spent on the whole. This was the organization’s second visit to the school after the first one last year March during which it shared educational materials.
Speaking to newsmen, the chairperson of the non-governmental organization, Mrs. Bitebo revealed that her reason for having concern for the children with special needs was because she had nephews who were physically challenged and one died from malaria when she was much younger, noting that one of them was outside the country schooling.
She said she believed that the children at the special school of handicap could make a difference in Nigeria “but if we do not support them we could never find out; may be there is somebody here who could have the solution to the world’s problem”.
She hinted that last year, the organization was at the school to find out what they wanted, adding that it was then that the school teachers gave the organization a list of what they needed, hence the books and leap-pad were specially made for them.
The golden hearted lady disclosed that the children are about 300 in number, but are very erratic in attendance, adding that some of the children come all the way from Eleme, meaning that transportation is their major problem, and had made them not to be regular, in school, apart from one Emmanuel who is regular hence the organization took her transport fares as a case.
Mrs. Gogo further noted that only 4 higher institutions cater for these special children, stressing that at the end, only 5 percent of the children end up in higher institution which she said gives her more concern.
With this development, her organization will be test-running a vocational section starting from March next month, where it proves successful for one year, the serious ones will be attached to a special school for children with special needs.
Mrs. Gogo revealed that in their school register, they have 300 in total, 16 blind and 15 with hearing disability. For those who are intelligent and brilliant, the organization is giving out scholarship with the help of individuals, friends, associates and family members, she noted.
Earlier, Mr. Mbata, one of the teachers who is also visually impaired, and has been part of the special school, encouraged the students (children) noting that there is something in them that, if they could work hard, they could succeed in their lives. She cited Steve Wonder who is visually impaired yet had produced wonderful songs, he quoted Josh. 1:7-8, saying that they will excel as God has given everybody a special gift.
Mr. Festus Nwiue, a lecturer of RIVPOLY, also impaired, admonished the children to get closer to God and stay humble to get what they wanted from the teachers since that is the reason they were there. “Take your studies serious, because the only weapon of the physical challenge is education,” he told them.
Mrs. Gogo while addressing the children, urged them to believe that they are special. “You are the reason we are here, do not ever believe that because you are impaired you cannot contribute to the society.
“Therefore you must work hard so as to give back to society”, he advised, promising them that she would do anything to assist them”. ####
Allanso Jonathan Allanso
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