Sunday Times 2
Concert in aid of school for the differently-abled
View(s):Barefoot Café will be the venue on Friday, March 21 for a concert for a cause. Bands Out of Time and Pascal’s French Connection will perform in aid of a small school for differently-abled children in Rajagiriya, called IDE, the Association of Individual Development Education School, (http://ideschool.org/). All funds raised will go towards the school and both bands will play for free.
At the IDE School, tucked away in a little lane off the Nawala Road in Rajagiriya, children suffering from various mental disorders such as Autism, Downs Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy are taught and guided with loving hands towards being able to function independently in today’s society.
Many of the children at the I.D.E. School are totally dependent upon others to assist them in every aspect of their lives. In addition to this, the majority of students are initially unable to speak or communicate effectively with their friends and family.
The school is committed to preparing these special needs children for life-long inclusion in the community, believing that early intervention is the key to helping them reach their potential.
The school has a professional staff of trained teachers and visiting therapists under the guidance and supervision of Principal, Kanthi Perera. Therapies include speech and language, occupational, yoga, aquatic and music and movement. The school is assisted in administration and fund raising by a group of volunteers.
The principal and teachers at the school are paid little in monetary terms for their dedication as the school struggles to make ends meet, receiving no government funding whatsoever. However, what they do obtain is the joy of knowing that their efforts make a real difference to the quality of the lives of these children and their families.
The school is operating from rented accommodation and is looking for a suitable building in the area to purchase for a permanent site. Those who would be able to help in their search, please contact the IDE School . www.ideschool.org or call the secretary on 077 30 20 10 6