As part of a focus on children with disabilities in the Grade 6 class this term, Mrs Hilary Bolton arranged for our Grade 6’s to spend some time at the Khaya Cheshire Centre on Victoria Drive.Khaya Cheshire caters for children from the age of 5 to 25. There were about 18 children at the Centre plus 3 adults. These children are mentally challenged and some also have physical challenges.
When the Grade 6’s arrived at the centre, the Khaya Cheshire children were waiting for them. They were very excited to see our Grade 6’s. It was wonderful to see how uninhibited our Grade 6’s were. The Khaya Cheshire children held out their arms to our children who then spontaneously hugged all of them.Immediately after that a game of soccer started between all the children. We then all went inside the classroom and the Khaya Cheshire children sang a song for us. The grade 6’s were then given oranges which they had to peel and share with the other children.
Mrs Bolton then spoke to our Grade 6’s about Khaya Cheshire. She spoke about the good and exciting things that happen there. She also mentioned some of the sad things that she has to deal with – parents abusing the children, parents who take the children’s clothes and sell them for drink, etc. After that there was another spontaneous playing session outside.
We ended the morning off by handing over cupcakes, chocolates , pretty clips for the girls to put in their hair, Teddy Bears and other little toys which our children had brought. The Khaya Cheshire children all thanked us with lovely big smiles on their faces.
We can feel very proud of how selflessly our Grade 6’s gave of their time, love and gifts to these really unfortunate children.
Anne Bizinos
Pics by Christine Buckle
