An overview of the Training activities of the Engraced Ones in 2022 showed a well-thought-out and widespread distribution of topics.
Interestingly, facilitators ranged from children advocates for disabilities, parents, persons with disability, educators, members, and friends of the group. The training was in most cases virtual and physical on a few occasions.
It’s worth pointing out that all facilitators shared their wealth of knowledge at no cost to the Organisation. We look forward to a more robust engagement with them in the future. We also call on more organizations to support us in the year 2023 by rendering professional training and capacity-building services as part of their civil social responsibility.
We duff our hats for members of the Training Team headed by Mrs. Yemisi Ife-Iji.
We thank also the Directors of Harmony On Earth (United States), Ugochukwu Edward-Dibiana Foundation for Children with Down syndrome (Abuja), and a budding Firm maker and Disability Advocate, Zabiya Idris (Lagos) and Abiose Falade of Angel Wings Global Freedom Foundation (Ibadan) for synergizing with us and making our training more resourceful and interactive.
Amongst our facilitators were, Zabiya Idris, Janet Okolo, Debbie Coury, Ugochukwu Edward Dibiana, Elizabeth Allagoa, and Busayo Omidire. Other prominent trainers and parents who were part of the Training were, Gbemisola Alade and Chinwe Emmanuel-Onafowokan, and Biby Yinkere.
Our special children/youth discussants were:
David Yinkere and Deborah Adede (who also served as co-hosts), Edozie Oguine, David Creppy, Abiola Omodara, Emmanuel Ikechukwu, David Obokoh, Chukwuma Ifeadigo David, and David Aleke.
Training topics covered include:
*The Exceptional Kind of Love
*We decide; Inclusion mean…
*Inclusive Education: can this become a reality in Nigerian Schools?
*Value Adding roles of parents of special learners to maximize the learning opportunities of their wards;
*The Educational Journey of a special learner in mainstream settings; The good, the bad, and the ugly.
*Planning the Educational Programme of Learners with Down syndrome, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy in a non-sensitized environment and;
*Transformative solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and Equitable World.
Concerns
An appreciable number of parents and caregivers benefited from the training sessions. However, there seemed to be a gap among indigent parents who could only attend the physical sessions.
The problem of lack of time and data also deviled our efforts.
Appreciation
This goes to everyone who contributed to the success of the program and those who took out time to attend.
Future Expectations
We hope to sustain and improve our training and make them more practical so more parents can benefit. We also expect more organizations and individuals to offer professional services to us so our capacity can be improved.