Parish help centre to be a reality soon
After two preliminary meetings involving concerned parishioners, volunteers and professionals, speech therapist Dr Edwin Lawrence from Seremban and Frs. Micheal Mannayagam and Damian Charles, the proposed Help Centre for parents and their ‘special children’ is on the verge of reality.
Sep 11, 2015
By Percy D’Cruz
After two preliminary meetings involving concerned parishioners, volunteers and professionals, speech therapist Dr Edwin Lawrence from Seremban and Frs. Micheal Mannayagam and Damian Charles, the proposed Help Centre for parents and their ‘special children’ is on the verge of reality.
As noted by Fr Micheal, before matters become official, the parishes of St Peter’s and St Francis Xavier will initially conduct a registration exercise. This is to determine the number of parents with special children who are keen to be involved in the development of a network to provide support and care, professional advice and resources for children afflicted with autism, speech and language delays, behavioural difficulties, motor difficulties and other developmental delays.
Fr Micheal added, “Following the registration exercise there will be regular talks during the weekly and Sunday Masses, together with informal meetings between concerned parties, before the centre gets off the ground. “
In this manner, the concerned parties, together with the centre’s volunteers, professionals and concerned parishioners, will be able to collectively collaborate for the benefit and assistance of both parents and their ‘special children.’”
At the recent meeting held at the St Peter’s parish resource centre, facilitated by Dr Edwin, around 30 interested individuals turned up, offering their services, to be directly or indirectly involved with the proposed centre, including catechism for ‘special children’ in their respective homes on a weekly basis.
Two divisions under the supervision of Theresa Fong (representing parents), and Christopher Teoh and Joy Chua (voluntary chores and duties), were formed to oversee the proposed centre. Among the areas to be looked into immediately are: to recruit qualified personnel to provide emotional support, specialised skills and one-on-one guidance for ‘special children,’ the setting up of a toy and book library, tuition classes and counselling sessions.
Parishioners and others who feel they can contribute to the eventual setting up of the proposed help centre can contact Fr Micheal at 016- 323 1360 for further details.
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