MENGO & GULUDDENE
UNITS FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN, OCCUPATIONAL DEPARTMENT
WHAT IS THE OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY DEPARTMENT?
Helping children
with disability is a relatively new thing in UgandaThe Occupational Department is
basically two schools for children with learning disabilities or
multiple
handicaps, with main school within the grounds of Mengo Hospital and its “sister
school” at Guluddene, which is about 30 miles from Mengo in Busukima sub-county,
Wakiso District.
The two schools work hand in
hand and both of them are day schools. However, Guluddene Unit has now become a
day and boarding school, so that some of the older children can learn to become
more independent.
Mengo Hospital's vision &
mission statements are very much also the department's aims, and thus, Christian
virtues and values are emphasised in the children.
WHAT
SERVICES DOES THE OCCUPATIONAL DEPARTMENT PROVIDE?
We provide relevant education for mentally retarded
children/children with learning disabilities or children with multiple handicaps
who are prevented from attending other schools due to their learning problems.
We encourage each child to develop as fully as possible –
physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually etc..
We provide practical training in 1) self help skills 2) activities
for daily living and 3) crafts, gardening and looking after animals, so that the
children can become as independent as possible in later life.
We provide an assessment service for children and advise the
parents and community on how to care for mentally handicapped people.
Other facilities are provided when necessary e.g. Speech Therapy,
Physiotherapy etc.
We are therefore known for our
practical approach in helping these children as our whole emphasis of the
education is on practical skills and equipping the children for life. We help
from both the medical and educational points of view.
HOW DO WE HELP THE
CHILDREN?
Through purposeful activity e.g.
craft work, sewing, gardening, keeping chickens, cleaning, cooking,
pre-academics, games etc.
Through involvement and
encouragement and letting them learn at their own pace, the children learn self
esteem and purpose and can play their part in the circle of life.
HOW MANY CHILDREN DO WE HELP?
At Mengo, we have 42 children,
and we have 22 children at Guluddene, out of which 9 are boarding. We have
accomodation for 30 children board and we will gradually increase until we
have that number. We are trying to emphasize more on quality help rather than
quantity.
STAFFING
Head of Department
Deputy Head of
Department
Occupational Administrator
Occupational
Therapist
Special needs Teachers
Matron (at
Guluddene)
Compound Worker
(at Guluddene)
Night Watchman
(at Guluddene)
Driver
DEPARTMENTAL CALENDAR
We follow the school term and
holidays programme as issued by the Ministry of Education.
Workshops – We have termly parents workshop
Visitors – We have students
from the Occupational Therapy training school once a year and students from the
Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE) once a year who come on
placement.
We also have other visitors who
come to help in a voluntary capacity who are interested in special needs or
disability.
DEPARTMENTAL NEEDS
As we are in the process of expanding at Guluddene, we need electricity,
clinical, therapeutic and educational equipment etc.
We are under the “umbrella” of Mengo but more independent and therefore have to
look for most of our funding to run the two units, ourselves. Any funding or
help, in any shape, form or kind is therefore always considered welcome.
