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?
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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.
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We encourage each child to develop as fully as possible – physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually etc..
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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.
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We provide an assessment service for children and advise the parents and community on how to care for mentally handicapped people.
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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
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Head of Department
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Deputy Head of Department
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Occupational Administrator
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Occupational Therapist
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Special needs Teachers
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Matron (at Guluddene)
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Compound Worker (at Guluddene)
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Night Watchman (at Guluddene)
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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.
e-mail: occupational@mengohospital.com