Fidget project for children with autism
With the help of some interesting donations, the club put their arts and crafts skills to the test.
April is Autism Acceptance Month and with the aim of celebrating and promoting acceptance for the condition, the Lions Club Wilro Park recently took on a very special project.
In October last year the Lions commenced with Project Fidget-Fidget. With the help of some interesting donations, the club put their arts and crafts skills to the test by making assorted fidget boards and cushions.
Fidget toys are known to improve learning as they allow the brain to filter out extra-sensory information, helping the child actively listen, pay attention and focus on the task.
According to project organiser Delphine Ferreira, they’ve selected 13 beneficiaries from Roodepoort, Krugersdorp, Soweto and Lenasia to receive the quirky handmade items. Some of the main recipients included Thulasizwe School for Autism, Mohato School for Autism and Takalani Special Needs School in Soweto.
On Saturday, April 9 nine beneficiaries attended the special hand-over ceremony at the Wilro Park Lions Community Centre. Recipient representatives were welcomed with warm greetings, steamy hot drinks and an array of colourful and creative fidget items.
“Even though it might have taken us a while to complete, we had such great fun doing it. It’s been a very important and special project not only for us, but for Lions Clubs worldwide,” Delphine said.
“The general consensus from beneficiaries are that they’re grateful to receive them and could do with a lot more. With this I would like to thank each and every person who’ve contributed to the project. Whether it was in the form of donations, or with assembling the boards and cushions.”
