What we are about
Our field of work:
Most of the children come from poor families. The social circumstances in Addis
Ababa are difficult. A high degree of unemployment and illiteracy exist within
the City, as well as alcoholism. There is no social security system for old
age, accident or sickness. As a result of these compounding factors, it is
usually a big burden for a family to take care of a disabled child. Very often
only the mothers are responsible for the children.
While some of the physically disabled children can attend local schools, for
the mentally challenged there is no help. Many of them are
neglected.
The work with disabled children is personnel and time intensive and, to be
effective, has to be individually designed for each student.
Mentally Challenged
The former name of our center was "Center for Mentally Retarded Children". To
change the attitude of all involved people we found the word "Challenged
Children" helpful. Parents and children face the challenge of mental retardation
and they may rise to that challenge with our help.
Objectives:
• To create awareness in the Ethiopian society and launch advocacy work to
promote this objective
• To enable integration of MCC into the society
• To give MCC the opportunity to develop their personalities, improve
their
• abilities and be more self sufficient
• To provide education and rehabilitation for MC children, youth and the
parents
• Provision of help aids for multi handicapped children at their home
Definition: What is Mental Retardation?
Mental retardation is a term used when a person has certain limitations in
mental functioning and in skills such as communicating, taking care of him or
herself, and social skills. These limitations will cause a child to learn and
develop more slowly than a typical child. Children with mental retardation may
take longer to learn to speak, walk, and take care of their personal needs such
as dressing or eating. They are likely to have trouble learning in school. They
will learn, but it will take them longer. There may be some things they cannot
learn.
Source: http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs8txt.htm