A Ray of Hope and A Bright Path for Children with Special Needs in Inten Soeweno Integrated Center in Bogor

Bogor (March 19^th, 2024) – Children with special needs in Inten Soeweno Integrated Center (STIS) in Bogor experienced the school atmosphere. One of the teachers, Fatimah, shared a story of how a school for children with special needs could be built there.

“In 2018, we started a school for children with brain damage or children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). We moved around until 2021 when we set up a foundation and met Ciungwanara. We submitted a proposal for therapy equipment assistance,” she said.

Fatimah and friends’ long and winding road shone a ray of hope and a bright path for children with special needs were not easy since there weren’t only the children, but also the parents.

“In the beginning, starting up a school for children with special needs, we need to give an understanding to the parents so that they can acknowledge their children’s condition. Thus, after getting into school, they’re no longer afraid of strangers and will be willing to socialize. From there, my friends and I are moved to accompany children with special needs for them to grow and develop,” she said.

Like school in general, in a school for children with special needs, there were kindergarten school subjects such as sticking and drawing.  The school was held on Saturday and Monday.

“One day, STIS knew that there was a school for children with special needs. Thus, there was an offer to start up a school in STIS on workdays so the other children with special needs can enjoy school and get therapy services,” Fatimah said.

The school time was adjusted to the children’s location, either in Bogor City or Bogor Regency.

“The school starts at 09.00 a.m. because the pickup car has to pick up the children from the alleys and foundation we are in,” Fatimah said.

The effort to raise awareness, strengthen, and empower the families of children with special needs was important to save the children’s future. Some parents or families felt like there was no hope, the world had ended, felt hopeless and ashamed.

"Dissemination, giving understanding about children with special needs are also given to the parent so that there is an enthusiasm to accompany them to go to school and get therapy,” Fatimah said.

The other parent’s activities were socialization, annual August 17^th event with interesting prizes, and parenting seminars.

“The most important thing is they open their mind about the children’s condition as the Creator’s gift who have to be treated with affection,” Fatimah ended.