As the year draws to the end, The Engraced One’s Prayer Support and Advocacy Initiative recently embarked on a tour of clubs it has established in schools across the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and its environs in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter of the year.
It will be recalled that as part of strategy to create awareness/sensitization at the grassroots to reduce/curb the tide of discrimination against children living with special needs and in recognition of the role peer acceptance, attachment and socialization plays in forming personality and building positive self-concept in children, the Non-Government Organisation two years ago kick-started the campaign of establishing, funding clubs in schools known as “Engraced Clubs”
The tour team visited about three schools out of a host of others. Schools visited included Fruitful Vine Academy Phase I Masaka, Nasarawa State, Royal Breeds Academy Kurudu and LEA Primary School Jikwoyi Phase I.
The team observed with delight that; #Club activities are not only functioning but also attendance has increased tremendously.
#Club members are eager, willing and ready to learn, advocate for the needs of those they perceive as being developmentally challenged, unjustly treated.
#Club members demonstrate average knowledge about Special Needs concerns
#Parents/caregivers of club members also reported being told about the Engraced club and its activities by their children/child
#Teachers also reported positive identification with club activities.
In conclusion, the team members wish to commend the organization for coming up with such a worthy initiative, encourage the initiative to be sustained as it’s yielding positive and desire fruits.
Air Vice Marshall Nelson Calmday is *MAN OF THE MOMENT* for us at the Engraced Ones Prayer Support and Advocacy Initiative.
He comes across at first sight as a tough, no-nonsense personality but alas he has the ‘kindest and most humble’ heart ever!
It’s being most humbling to see him and his beautiful wife walk the streets of Abuja praying for and sensitizing people about the plight of children living with a disability.
The General has taken his commitment to these precious children further by keying into the Group’s *Adopt a Special Need Child Educational Scheme*.
We salute you Sir for becoming the FIRST BENEFACTOR of our children. May the Lord bless and grant you all-round breakthrough in Jesus name Amen.
The Assistant Director, Special Duties, National Orientation Agency, FCT Directorate, Mrs. Chinwe Ikaraoha, has said people should stop the abuse of children with special needs. Ikaraoha was spoke on Saturday, 5th October during a road-walk organized by the Engraced Ones, Prayer Support and Advocacy Initiative along Karu/ Jikwoyi road to mark the International day of Cerebral Palsy, on 6th October.
We acknowledge that the government has signed the Disability Bill which gives everyone living with disability rights in the society and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) is trying to popularize that bill. We will in the near future translate the bill into other languages, we are advocating that people stop the abuse of children with disabilities,” she said.
Convener of the Engraced Ones Initiative, Mrs. Biboara Yinkere, said children with Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome may be written-off, but with prayers and educational intervention, the children would fulfill their destinies.
“There is nothing wrong with having a child with a special condition. That child is human and complete, so we don’t want parents hiding their children away. Some claim they don’t have money to send these children to school but they send their other children to school, so parents should not discriminate against children with special needs, let these children go to school,” she said.
A parent of a child with special needs, Mrs. Beatrice Agatha Ohere, said the government should support children with Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome with scholarships, gadgets and teaching aids to help improve their learning process.
Recall we had our annual cerebral palsy and down syndrome walk in Abuja on the 5th of October, the amazing story of our support got captured in the newspaper, indeed The Engraced Ones is paving ways. Its time to join the train!
God was awesomely faithful yesterday as the Visioner of The Engraced Ones Prayer and Advocacy Initiative Mrs Biboara Yinkere and Mrs Gbemi Alade, Group Trustee spoke on ‘Parenting Children with Special Needs’ at Kiss FM 99.9 as Host Bunmi Afolabi took them on in the award winning Radio Programme ‘Honourable House of Porapo’.
This was courtesy of Mrs Lola Aneke U.S trained Certified Special Needs Instructor and CEO Dewdrops Community Center.
Thanks to all who listened in. We won’t stop praying and talking until our children become a praise upon the Earth!
