The Care For Children Foundation (Holland) and Nurture the Children Foundation (Philippines) have made it possible that two Philippine colleagues visited the Netherlands in 2015 and shared gained knowledge back to the centers in the Philippines. Tess from RSCC Lubao and Weng from Amor Village. They visited day care centers and special schools for children with mental disabilities. Over the past two years, they have shared this knowledge in the Philippines and made improvements in both RSCC Lubao in Pampanga and in Amor Village in Tarlac.
In the summer of 2017 Care For Children makes it possible for Quinten Schouten, a teacher of special education from Holland, to look at the differences before and after visiting the Netherlands. Quinten knows the children and staff since 2005.
In RSCC Lubao, especially the progress in the group of toddlers is increasing. Because Tess gained insight into the usefulness of playing on the development of the children, various toys are offered daily on the group. These toddlers show much less stress reactions or problem behaviors but have changed in a joyful playing group. Your gift used to invest in knowledge transfer really makes the difference.
Ms. Weng from Amor Village has gained inspiration from how care and education in the Netherlands has been organized. She has been able to make many improvements in Amor Village in the past two years. All children get education and day care fitting to their level and possibilities. To achieve this goal, the children are better divided into level groups. Children with a mild mental disorder go to school all day to a class with younger children.
Children with a moderate mental disability go to a special class where they attend a small group for special education. Children with severe impairment work two to three times a week individually with one of the teachers in Amor. In their home, they play with materials for the sensory stimulation daily. Thus, all children get what suits them and what they need.
Young people and mature residents also follow their day program in which they, for example, learn to cultivate the farmland.
Part of the day spend is given in the new space that was built by Nurture the Children Foundation with the help of Dutch HvV Foundation, and officially opened in the summer of 2017. In this space, art and objects to use are made from recycled materials of the empty chips and cake bags. The children make beautiful mats used for mirrors and side tables.
The education level of the three newly appointed teachers is high. A few years ago, in the Philippines, mentally disabled children were taught traditionally and classically by renaming the alphabet. Now, the teachers use Montessori materials such as tactile letters and development materials such as puzzles and construction materials.
In addition, toys are being used, such as kitchen toys, medical supplies, timber toys and clothes to stimulate development. On the wish list there is also a dollhouse with accessories, so your gifts for this are welcome.
