Khanyisizwe Special School
Not too long ago I informed you that Sandile is now going to a special school for disabled children. He is doing very well and enjoys going to school. He was even chosen to be a prefix (klassenvertegenwoordiger) in his group!!!
After visiting the school a couple of times I thought it might be a nice aspect to include in our volunteer program.
At the moment the school has about 100 students, devided in 3 classes (junior, intermediate and senior). In general a student stays in one class for 3 years and then moves on to the next class. Per class the students are devided in smaller subgroups, according to their level. The youngest student in the school is 7 and the oldest 29. The current activities vary from very simple drawings, sawing, counting, writing their own name, simple maths etc. The school wants to start a gardening project (each class has their own little garden) and they are going to get stoves soon so they can do some cooking and baking.
At the moment I am looking together with the school at the possibility to send 1 or 2 of our volunteers to the school once a week to do art, sports, music and English with the children. The school is very enthusiastic about this extra help and so are we. Since I do not have any experience in working with disabled (and authistic) children I would like to ask previous or future volunteers that do have experience to help me think of exercises and activities that volunteers could do at the school and to give me some tips about what we should/shouldn't do. (Please place a reaction to this message or e-mail me at wilmavanw@hotmail.com)
I will be going to the school next Thursday myself to see how it is to work there the whole day and see how the children respond to having a volunteer there. Will keep you updated!!
sort:
last reaction 
Reactions - Khanyisizwe Special School
Hi Wilma,
how nice to involve volunteers at the school! I hope it turns out very well for all participants.
Meaby it's a good idea to put a message in the forum category Ithemba as well, so all volunteers of that project read your message. Since a lot of the Ithemba volunteers have a background / experiences with disabled children, I think you'll get a lot of response as well :)
Good luck and enjoy your day helping at the special school,
Debbie
Hey Wilma,
What a good idea to let the volunteers help out at the school... Maybe you can do some "sensopathische spelen" (don't the english word for it). For instant you can let them play with "scheerschuim". You can put it on a table and let them make figures in it. The most important thing is that you just let them feel so they use their sensory organs. You can find more games at internet..
Greets Anke
Hi Wilma,
I would love to help at the school when I'll be at MoP in july/august.
Since a couple of months I work at MEE, an organisation for disabled people, and also people with autism. I can ask my colleagues for some tips if you want.
I do know that it's important to tell them exactly what they're going to do, with who, when etc so the children know what they can expect. Also don't give them too much to choose from, because choosing something can be very different for them. Give them as much as structure as you can.
I don't know much about sports but I've heard it's best to practise sports in small groups or -even better, if possible- individual. Teamsports like soccer can be very stressfull.
Nice idea about the scheerschuim!
Hi Wendy,
So wonderful that you are coming, looks like it is perfect timing. I'm sure you will be a great help to the school.
Enjoy the preparations.
Brie.
Write a new reaction
You are reading an English message. Please only respond in English.