September 16, 2021 brought a big change in the lives of Yusufu, Mohamed Ali, Ibrahim, Mukeh, Christiana, Amara, Joe, Gibao, Massah and Kadiatu. On that day the Nyandengoh! School for Special Education opened its doors. For some children it was their first school day ever. Others went to school but spent year after year in the same class. They could copy pages full of words without being able to read them, or count to a hundred without realizing that these numbers actually meant something. Sadly, children like them are often considered stubborn. They are called names and frequently beaten by their teachers or parents. At the Nyandengoh! school they now have a safe place to play and learn. They make puzzles, they sort and count, they sing “A, A, ants on the apple..” and count goats and chickens on walks through the neighborhood. And above all, they are told they are special, valuable, and loved. Over the coming years, we hope to provide three years of basic education, after which children either (re)integrate into mainstream schools, or move on to life skills / vocational training.
It was a busy time for the team to get everything ready, in addition to the many other tasks related to the care of a total of 93 children with disabilities. Dr. Jon and Heleen Yoder were finally able to travel to Sierra Leone in August and could help with training, resource development, screening and medical care. They brought two suitcases filled with toys and games, crutches and office supplies, much of which was donated by generous supporters around Christmas last year! While the initial plans were to start with one class, some worrisome local events highlighted the vulnerability of children left without care when parents need go to work, tend to their gardens, or even go to the market to buy their daily food. So in about three days, a simple structure was erected next to the office, where a daycare/preschool provides care for children who are not yet ready to go to Class 1.
We can assure you that the whole experience has been a steep learning curve! Visiting children in their homes is one thing, but to have eight of them in a little room…. Children who have a short attention span, who are not used to schedules and structures, who have seizures, and who often have experienced bullying and abuse. We are grateful to God for Elizabeth and Lucy, two godly and gifted ladies who joined our team as teachers. Please pray for them and the rest of the team as they learn about special education and interact with the children.
One other event we want to highlight is the training of pastors and Sunday School leaders on Friday September 10. In earlier blogs we have shared about the stigma faced by children with disabilities and their families in their communities. The Nyandengoh! team developed a Sunday School curriculum with seven lessons on disability and the Bible. The training was attended by 38 representatives of 22 churches in Mattru Jong and surrounding villages. We had good, deep discussions in which we explored both healing and ongoing suffering in the lives of God’s children. The participants also made practical plans on how to welcome children with disabilities into the church and support their parents. The participants were each given a curriculum to take back to their churches and teach their congregations. Please pray for an abundant fruit in the churches and communities.
We thank you for your prayers and support! For more pictures, for example of the distribution of school bags for children attending mainstream schools, please check out our Photo page.
