Volunteer column
SDCC is a long running program established under Down Syndrome Society Nepal . the central objective of SDCC is to organize activities that enables the people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities to become able and independent.
SDCC currently provides services to 35 children with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities with 4 regular special education teachers.SDCC provides Self-help skills, vocational and recreational activities along with the
Camilla Pande , Norway
I participated in the activity at Satyam Day Care Center in April 2016. Satyam is a progressive center with a lot of activity. As I experienced it was also quite well organized compared to other centers I were a part of in Kathmandu. While I was there, it was a daily dance session among some of the older students choreographed together with a dance teacher. These were goal oriented practices which resulted in performances in front of a large crowd at Down Syndrome Day and so on with huge success. The kids were easy to love and connect with as we shared a lot of joy and laughter. Even though it was difficult to communicate verbally due to different languages, I felt a common understanding and the language was not so important. There were school sessions, creative work of making candles and a lot of playing. 3 of the young boys even worked sometimes at a hotel to learn about professional life. My impression was that the older students also worked a little like role models for the younger ones. All in all, SDCC together with other care centers is the proof that there is a shift going on in Nepal. The attitude towards intellectual disability is changing towards a positive direction. Especially at SDCC, there were competent and devoted staffs that were good at using the potential of their students and activate them in a practical ways.
Harold , NTNU Norway
Last year at spring, I and three other physiotherapy students came from Norway to Nepal to have our practice for two months. Our task was to examine and treat children with Cerebral Palsy. We have only had a few lectures about CP in school, and few get to work with them in the practice periods. I am therefore glad I got this experience, and also an opportunity in Norway. It’s a challenge working with children with CP, because many of them have little or no language. It was even a bigger challenge in this case, when the children’s mother language as Nepali where as I am Norwegian. But this led to bigger learning for me, because I had a lot of body language which is great tool back in Norway. After all, the work with children gave me lots of joy. It is something special about these kids; they have big heart and lots of positive energy. It was really hard to say goodbye but I often think of Nepal: the beautiful country and the lovely children. Now I am graduated and I definitely will take this experience with me in my work as a physiotherapist.
Anna Karoline Osen, Norway
This is what I heard from the president of DSSN who also happened to be one of my supervisors at this day care center.
Despite, or maybe because of the variation in needs and diagnosis of the children, each day is structured with room for swapping activities. All students, regardless if they have Down syndrome , autism , cerebral palsy or ADHD, start the day with some gymnastic exercise – stretching as well as jumping, while singing the national anthem. This is followed by classes like math, writing and coloring. Puzzles are also a part of their learning process. Dancing is a huge part of their day, with fancy rhythms and expressive body movements. The day is usually ended with sports or games and the students are able to let go of all the energy they have inside before they are picked up by their parents to return home.
During my three weeks at SDCC, I was amazed by how intertwined learning was with Nepali culture. Before I arrived in Nepal, I had the impression that Nepali people were smiling, positive, energetic and warm- hearted. This impression was identical to the people I met at the day care center. The children are helping as much as they can and the adults working there are doing the same. This attitude, in addition to varied days with different kinds of games and learning styles provides the children with lots of learning but also a lot fun in the everyday life. Even though my three weeks ended a long time ago, I still feel like I could learn more from the children, the adults and the president of DSSN by coming back one day.
Ida Benedicte Cowburn, Norway
Last year at spring, I and three other physiotherapy students came from Norway to Nepal to have our practice for two months. Our task was to examine and treat children with Cerebral Palsy. We have only had a few lectures about CP in school, and few get to work with them in the practice periods. I am therefore glad I got this experience, and also an opportunity in Norway. It’s a challenge working with children with CP, because many of them have little or no language. It was even a bigger challenge in this case, when the children’s mother language as Nepali where as I am Norwegian. But this led to bigger learning for me, because I had a lot of body language which is great tool back in Norway. After all, the work with children gave me lots of joy. It is something special about these kids; they have big heart and lots of positive energy. It was really hard to say goodbye but I often think of Nepal: the beautiful country and the lovely children. Now I am graduated and I definitely will take this experience with me in my work as a physiotherapist.
This is what I heard from the president of DSSN who also happened to be one of my supervisors at this day care center.
Despite, or maybe because of the variation in needs and diagnosis of the children, each day is structured with room for swapping activities. All students, regardless if they have Down syndrome , autism , cerebral palsy or ADHD, start the day with some gymnastic exercise – stretching as well as jumping, while singing the national anthem. This is followed by classes like math, writing and coloring. Puzzles are also a part of their learning process. Dancing is a huge part of their day, with fancy rhythms and expressive body movements. The day is usually ended with sports or games and the students are able to let go of all the energy they have inside before they are picked up by their parents to return home.
During my three weeks at SDCC, I was amazed by how intertwined learning was with Nepali culture. Before I arrived in Nepal, I had the impression that Nepali people were smiling, positive, energetic and warm- hearted. This impression was identical to the people I met at the day care center. The children are helping as much as they can and the adults working there are doing the same. This attitude, in addition to varied days with different kinds of games and learning styles provides the children with lots of learning but also a lot fun in the everyday life. Even though my three weeks ended a long time ago, I still feel like I could learn more from the children, the adults and the president of DSSN by coming back one day.