We started the year with this project focused on the second SDG goals - No hunger. People are hungry either because food is in short supply in their area or they can’t afford to buy enough food. The project was aimed at giving out freshly baked bread to less privileged families. We launched the first edition on the 14th of February 2017 in commemoration of Valentine’s day.
Our team visited Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and treatment home school where we gave out loaves of bread to the students. We had the opportunity of interacting with the students and teachers. The school system is quite different from other schools, the curriculum is structured in phases.
The first phase is the Stimulation class - also called preparatory class. New students are admitted to this class. They are taught basic life skills like how to use the toilet, brush, feed, how to express themselves. Rhymes are used as a means of engagement because most of the students can’t speak. At this phase, we met students with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome and the bedridden. This phase has 4 classes with each consisting of a maximum number of 30 students. The students can stay for as much as 2 to 5 years in this class depending on how much they have learnt before they progress to the next class.
The second phase is the T.M.C - Trainable Mental Class. Here, the students can read, write and communicate but with the guidance of a teacher.
The third phase is the Educable class. They are taught all subjects. They read, write and communicate without aide from any teacher.
The fourth phase is the Vocational department which is sub-divided into many classes. The students in this department are those who can’t assimilate as such academically but exude creativity. Hence, their transfer here to nurture their creativity.
In the Arts and Craft class, we met Samson Balogun. He showed us the creation process of mop sticks and Stove wick. The students also create items carved from wood and other materials.
The next class was the computer class which holds every Wednesday for students in the educable class.
The next class was the Home economics class. The students here cook, make pastries, beads and bags albeit their instructor Mr. Babatunde is visually Impaired. They sell the products and the some of the proceeds are used for more production. Our team patronized them. Students from other schools visit the students in this department every two weeks. They interact and make friends with each other.
The next class was the Arts and Creative class. The students here can’t make use of their hands but they draw with their feet.
The last class we visited was the beauty class. The students here barb and dress hair. They help out with barbing and hair dressing of their fellow students.
We finally met with Bukola Alade, a former student at Modupe Cole. She returned as a teacher to pass on the knowledge she has gained over time.
Like every other institution, they have challenges. The major ones are lack of personnel - trained teachers- to assist in teaching the students and inadequate facility to accommodate the students.
It was a well spent day for our team. Follow us on Instagram, twitter & facebook with the handle sociallyafrica for more updates on our project. Visit the gallery section for more pictures.