Introduction
Senese Inclusive Education Support Services (“Senese”) is a Not for Profit organisation established in 1987 by a group of parents of children with disabilities. Senese provides a learning and support center for children with learning and physical disabilities in Samoa. The ages range from Pre-school to secondary level with some school leavers being recruited as support staff for Senese. Senese also supports the emotional and mental improvement of disabilities such as:
*Hearing impairment
*Dyslexia
*Down Syndrome
*Autistic Disorder Syndrome (ASD)
*Vision impaired
The children that enter Senese’s doors are eligible to receive specialized assistance such as, occupational therapy, sign language lessons, hearing screening and access to speech therapy. For those that attend a mainstream school, an application for a Teacher’s Aide can be made to Senese where a Teacher’s Aide will be assigned to the child to accompany the child to class, facilitating learning as well as help the student transition into different activities and environments throughout the day. Parents can also receive guidance and some tutorials/workshops as to how to navigate raising their child in a safe and loving environment.
Current status
SENESE has been serving the Samoan community for 30 plus years providing critical education, health and counselling support services for special needs children and their families.
In recent times SENESE has been struggling financially to meet the growing number of special needs children in Samoa who require specialised support services which mainstream schools are not equipped or educated to deal with. As a result of progressive funding cuts, Senese was forced to let go of 50% of their teacher aides and relocate premises. The financial situation became more dire during the 2019 measles epidemic and now with the global Covid 19 pandemic.
The closure of SENESE would threaten Samoa’s progress in promoting and protecting the rights and future of children with special needs.
Your donations go towards re-establishing and continuing these essential services and securing a brighter future for our children.
To donate click here