Ensure a safe and fun festive season

NEWLANDS – Community urged to embrace differently-abled children these holidays.

December 4, 2019

Andile Dlodlo 2 minutes read

The boys of Coronation Training Centre look dapper at their farewell celebration on 22 November. Photo: File

Training centre shares information on how to keep differently-abled children safe, happy and respected this festive season.

Coronation Training Centre is pleased to make it to the end of the year. It has been a year of many challenges and successes and the time to rest has finally arrived. Unfortunately, this period does come with fear for those at the school for specialised education and support for differently-abled learners with barriers to learning and development.

The principal of the school, Phebe Botman-Kerspuy, said it’s during this time that some of their learners are subjected to a cycle of violence, abuse and fear. “During the academic year we know we will see the children the next day and for most of the day, during the holidays we have little influence over their happiness and safety.”

Debbie Don-Pierrot, Mafixole Makwabe and Phebe Botman-Kerspuy at Coronation Training Centre’s Class of 2019 farewell ceremony. *Photo: Supplied*

Botman-Kerspuy shared that a couple of incidents during the mid-year break woke her up to this reality. “In the June holidays one child committed suicide while another went missing. We were called as the school to try help and this is when we became aware of the potential dangers the children may face.”

These unfortunate incidents pushed the school to have their counsellor on standby at all times and again this holiday period to ensure that the friends and family of their learners have someone they can contact if necessary.

The friends, family and guardians of the children need to be fully aware of their children, including differently-abled children’s, whereabouts and company at all time. “Our learners are vulnerable members of society, we can help reduce the chances of things happening to them by knowing where they are, who they are with and what they are doing.”

Debbie Don-Pierrot and a few of the learners from Coronation Training Centre at their Class of 2019 farewell. *Photo: Supplied*

The principal added that this, in addition to constant communication with the children, should play a big part in keeping them safe.

Botman-Kerspuy suggested that communities need to come together and embrace differently-abled children this festive season. “Churches, holiday clubs, community leaders, we need you to help keep our children entertained and active.

“Our children also want to play and have fun these holidays but very few accommodate them. We need them to be remembered and considered.”

She added that parents need to reach out to one another as well as to organise activities for this period. The only advice she had for this request was to ensure the children are safe and with adult supervision at all times.

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