Children with special needs are not peculiar or odd and only want what everyone else does – to be happy.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, funding for Esperanza Special Needs School has been hard to come by, resulting in nothing exciting taking place at the school which is so often forgotten about. However, Jenniffer Pillay, principal of the school, recently decided to have a fun day for these special and brilliant kids to bring some light into their lives during these gloomy times. Due to concerts and fundraisers being difficult to hold with restrictions in place, Principal Jenniffer Pillay planned a fun day for the children instead.
“They also need a bit of a break and to have some fun, so we decided to have a day of dancing and activities for them because they are also part of society, and deserve to be treated like normal human beings,” said Pillay.
Having adapted well to mask-wearing, the learners who were dressed in their jeans and crisp white t-shirts danced in unison to a song which they had been practising to, much to the delight of their audience; some of which were team members of ActionSA who took time out to provide meals for the children on the day.
Razia Cassim, a member of ActionSA, said that it is a calling and not a job, to educate special needs children. “It was very humbling to be part of this fun day with these children,” she said. Faizel Cassim, ActionSA Mayoral Elect, commended the caregivers of the school. “My hat’s off to the caregivers as one needs a lot of patience and dedication for them to get the job done.
We as ActionSA members are community-driven people and will be getting more involved with Esperanza to ensure that the children’s needs are met. We also appeal to all other political parties, community leaders and businesses to come on board and assist in any way in order to keep this organisation alive,” said Cassim. Covid-19 has taken a toll on the organisation with the school not being able to do any fundraising, which in turn pays for the monthly essentials. An appeal is being made to businesses around Newcastle to pledge a small amount each month to the organisation in order for these children to carry on having a school of their own with caregivers who have their best interests at heart. If you wish to contribute, kindly contact Principal Jenniffer Pillay on 078-648-3490.
