Since the centre’s opening by the National Society for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in 1957, thousands of children have received confidence and survival skills. According to the Administration and Human Resources Manager, David Katandika, the centre’s inmates include the blind, the physically disabled, those with Downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, dwarfism and other multiple disabilities.
“Because of limited places, we give priority to children from poor backgrounds. Right now the school is the only institution offering such services in the country and we are currently overwhelmed with applications,” said Katandika.
The school offers education from nursery up to Ordinary Level. “The school is quite unusual in itself because it combines primary and secondary level into one school. All classes begin at Early Childhood Development level and go up to Ordinary level,” said Katandika.
The school also offers physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. “We try to make sure that the students get relevant therapy that suits their condition. Our aim is to make these children self-sufficient and feel that they are part of the world,” he said.
Occupational therapy offered includes woodwork and technical drawing, hairdressing, food and nutrition, embroidery and furniture making. In 1998 the centre introduced a special boarding facility called the Independent Living Training concept.
This is an extension of the conventional Occupational Therapy whereby the children are taught to be as independent and as self-sufficient as possible.
“We have converted some hostels into smaller units where children live in groups as families. They are supervised by a house parent whose main role is to ensure that each child contributes to the smooth running of the family home to the best of their ability. Students are expected to take care of themselves and do all the households chores, which include the planning of meals, budgeting and shopping,” explained Katandika.
The system had seen students develop a high level of assertiveness and confidence, which is rare in most children of their age. A former student, Tapiwa Nyengera, who is now the school’s public relations manager said the centre had taught him a lot of survival skills.
“I have lived with physical restrictions since birth but my mind is not restricted. I have attained educational qualifications which any able bodied can do,” said Nyengera, who was also part of the school band that featured award winning musician Prudence Mabhena.
“Most of our workers here are former students. It’s unfortunate that that some employers find it very difficult to accept people with disability as their employees. They always think that people with disability are not capable of performing to their satisfaction,” said Katandika.
The institution’s head of administration also expressed concern over the increasing number of children who are being electrocuted by live Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority power lines.
“Last year we enrolled two students who were victims of electrocution. Both victims are without limbs. We are currently imparting some self-helping skills to them,” he said.
The centre is also looking for another boy who was recently electrocuted in Chitungwiza with a view to offering him a place.
Post published in: Analysis