We had a grand occasion on Saturday 24th October 2009 at Open Doors. Not only did we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Open Doors Special Education Centre but we also dedicated our new classroom block. We used this opportunity to show off what children with developmental disabilities can accomplish if they are given Special Education services. Not only did the families of the children witness the presentations by Open Doors children but also many invited guests including Government officials such as the Plateau State Commissioner of Education and the Chairlady of the Plateau State Basic Education Board. One of the highlights of the celebration was the traditional dance by Open Doors students. Here are some of the photos of their dance performance of “Igwe”.
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We had two playlets. One by some children from the Special Education Unit was about a father who rejected his son because he couldn’t learn well. But ended happily when the father learned about Open Doors. The other playlet was by the Reading Clinic students about someone who was hawking groundnuts because she never learned to read well enough to finish school. Her friends advised her to enrol in the Open Doors Reading Clinic so she could succeed in life.
Our physiotherapy unit demonstrated how children with cerebral palsy are learning to stand and walk at Open Doors.
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This is our sweet Bethel. In the picture on the left she is in an ordinary chair and has to use her arms to balance herself. In her special chair she is fully supported and is relaxed enough to be able to use her hands to reach for toys on the table. We have a great carpenter who builds these chairs specially made to fit each child.
We demonstrated our speech therapy activities as well. In this picture Jonas, who has cerebral palsy and doesn’t speak clearly, confidently read a poem to our visitors.
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Judith, who also has cerebral palsy, demonstrated how she communicates using her talker. Here she is telling her teachers which toys she wants.
In this picture Ebenezer, an autistic boy, demonstrates how he communicates using the Picture Exchange System (PECS). We made these large PECS pictures so our visitors could see them during our demonstration.
Our last presentation was by some of students who showed some of what they make in their vocational training activities. James is showing how he moulds blocks and George is holding some of the candles he made. Ikenna is telling about “specialeen” he made.
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We had a beautiful ceremony too. Here is the Chairlady of the Plateau State Basic Education Board, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, cutting the ribbon to our new classroom block. The Universal Basic Education Commission, along with PW Construction Company and Open Doors PTA contributed the funds with which we built the classrooms. Standing with the Chairlady is the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Jos, Most Reverend Ben Kwashi, who dedicated the new classrooms. On their right is the chairman of Open Doors PTA who served as our MC.
Mrs. Ochekpe also unveiled the plaque. The new classroom block is named Sarah Chikan Block in memory of a pioneer student of Open Doors.
A highlight of the celebration was the cutting of the 10th Anniversary Cake.
Some of our mothers helped Solomon, Hope, Simi and Ebenezer cut the cake on behalf of all the Open Doors children.
Later everyone visited the tent where we displayed our students’ art and craft work and other vocational products. The candles and snacks made by our students were soon sold out.
