A LOCAL Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) is pleading with the community for help. The SEAL Academy @Tap based in Durban North is a school for children with special needs. Founded in June 2017 the facility caters for children between the ages of five and 12.
Its founder Liza Hall said their main aim is to develop social, expressive, artistic and learning opportunities in children with special needs.
“We aspire to get each Down Syndrome student to reach their full potential according to their individual special abilities, which would empower the students with self-confidence and feelings of self-worth. We also wish to create awareness of Down Syndrome and the importance of the community embracing their difference, as all they want is to feel included and accepted for who and what they are,” said Hall.
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For the past year the facility has been operating at one of the rooms at the Durban North Baptist Church. Due to not having enough space, they were compelled to teach all their from this one room. Recently the facilities dreams of expansion came true when the church offered them more space.
“The church has offered us four more rooms which we will convert to classrooms. The new space also has an area which we can use as our own playground instead of using the coffee shop play area,” said Hall.
The church’s executive pastor, who also plays a major role in the day-to-day running of the facility, Jan Maré said,”converting the house into classrooms will cost a lot of money. Which is why we are asking for residents to help us carry the load.”
“We are asking for community help in the form of all kinds of donations whether it be their time, left over paint, playground accessories and any other materials you no longer use,” said Hall.
She said they would also focus on is providing special needs services to children from poor homes who would not generally afford such facilities.
To help email liza@thesealacademy.co.za.
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