Holiday Camp for 200 Children with Severe Disabilities

GIS - July 28, 2010: Some 200 children with severe disabilities participated on 26 and 27 July in a holiday camp at the Recreation Centre for Senior Citizens at Pointe aux Sables.  The camp was organised under the Respite Care Programme of the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions.

During their stay at the camp, the children had the opportunity to take part in several recreational activities such as indoor games, magic shows, swimming and face painting. On the same occasion, around 75 parents followed a training programme to empower them on ways and means to cope with severely disabled children.

The training programme which was conducted by educators aimed at sensitising the parents on the importance of hydrotherapy techniques and games for the education and development of the children. Emphasis was also laid on sports activities for children with special needs and on simple techniques such as the best way to lift and feed a child, amongst others.

In her address, the Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, recalled that activities organised under the Respite Care Programme will enable children with disabilities to evolve in a different environment. At the same time, she said, the parents would have the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas and learn on new techniques to look after their children, adding that the government is determined to build an inclusive society.

The Minister expressed her appreciation to the NGOs and the parents for their commitment in helping the severely disabled children in their activities. She rejoiced that two disabled Mauritians have been granted scholarships to undertake a one-year training programme at the Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Polytechnic for the Differently Abled in Mysore, India.

The Respite Care Programme aims at providing relief to parents of severely disabled children through leisure activities such as lunch in hotels, holiday camps and visits to leisure parks. In mid-July, a one-day activity for parents and their severely disabled children was held at Calodyne-Sur-Mer Hotel, Grand Gaube.