Onaopemipo Centre for Children and Youths with Special Needs, OCCYSN, a Non-Governmental Organization established for the home care of children with autism and various learning disabilities has appealed for assistance as they face shortage of teachers, special teaching and learning aids, lack of school bus, amongst other things.
The group made the call at an event tagged “Let’s make them happy” and held in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Saturday.
Deacon Olumide Ojo, Chief Executive Director (CED) of OCCYSN, while delivering the welcome address, informed the gathering of the organization’s commitment to raising the quality of life of children and youths living with disabilities.
“The main vision of the organization, she emphasized, is to make it possible for these special children and youths to achieve full potential while the mission is to provide practical step by step assistance.”
The guest speaker at the occasion, Mr Olajide Funso, who is also the Executive Director (ED) of Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI), spoke on the topic: ‘Role of Parents in parenting Children living with Disabilities in Nigeria’. Mr Funso encouraged parents and guardians of children with disabilities to rather show empathy than sympathy in relating with them.
He advised them to love children with disabilities like any other children and try to find out their areas of strength/interest which they should work on and assist them to develop.
Going further, he enjoined that parents actively defend them from societal discrimination, to build up their confidence and to desist from spoiling them by pampering.
Other topics delivered at the occasion includes: ‘Disability is never a barrier’, by Miss Sefunmi Victoria , Executive Director (Victoria Dorcas Ability Foundation) and ‘The role of Care-givers by a Social Welfare expert, name withheld.
In his closing remark, OCCYSN boss, Mr. Ojo highlighted the needs of the Center to include shortage of Special teachers, lack of school bus, lack of permanent accommodation (Hostel and classrooms), High cost of medication, shortage of Vocational training materials & toys for children, shortage of special teaching and learning aids, etc.
He appealed to philanthropists and well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the center and put smiles on the faces of children and Youth with disabilities by helping them maximize their potentials.
Mr. Ojo also appreciated all who graced the occasion by their presence for supporting the OCCYSN vision. Special kudos went to Mrs Olumide Wumi, the Executive Director of the organization for her commitment and sacrifice.
Highlights of the event included cultural displays and various songs rendition which lifted up the spirits various categories of attendees.
The programme was well attended by Children and Youths with disabilities, their parents/guardians and other dignitaries.