This artical was published in the new free paper 19th June 2008
"A Day in our lives"
Arriving at 10am (it's our normal start time) in the school are Housekeeper, Cooks, Teachers, Students from Kusadasi Vocational High School and up to twenty five disabled people. We are always greeted with gün aydın (good morning) by anyone in the reception area. As I walk into the main area of the school, Zehra, who always sits near the door, gives me the biggest smile I have ever seen (always a wonderful start to any day), 'gün aydın', 'Hoş Geldiniz' are shouted from all directions, Selim high5s me, Uğur points and waves (Uğur has autism and is deaf ), Muhammet runs over to shake my hand, 'hello,hello' he says in his best English, Mustafa shouts “Hello english how are you?” I respond with “merhaba türkçe nasılsın” fits of laughter at my very limited Turkish. Then,a small voice from round the corner ,“Mark abi Mark abi” Melikçan is calling; he has a very limited vocabulary, but Ina taught him to say 'Mark abi'; he must say it 50 times a day and always makes me smile.
Almost all students are seated at a long table, many of them colouring, some writing, and a few doing puzzles, we make sure all the pencils are sharp. Muhammet wants help with his jig saw puzzles, not that he needs it, he can do the jigsaw puzzle the wrong way up (no picture just the shapes) very impressive.
We help anyone who needs or wants help, then a voice saying “mark abi mark abi” 'efendim' I respond , then a little hand grabs mine -“topat topat”- pulling me across the room to the seating area -“otur otur”- Melikçan wants to play ball! It's an interesting game, I sit and Melikçan throws the ball to me ,then runs over and throws it away for me, this is his favourite game and if I stand up I’m told off ! I have to be sitting to play this game.
When everyone is ready and finished drawing etc. it's exercise time -sometimes to music, sometimes with floor mats- but everyone joins in with this. We all help the students who have limited movement, some of the students take to the floor to show off their skills! The teacher is excellent and the students enjoy laughing with each other trying very hard to do basic exercises, still it's hard work doing it for 2.
The Teacher arrives for writing and maths lessons, (not all the students can manage this or have the ability) so most go off to the dining room for their lessons, leaving about 5 students in the main room. Ali, who is about 8 years old and has cerebral palsy, gets some much needed one to one. He has a wonderful, loving nature and has recently learnt to throw a ball. We play 'catch' for a while -well- I catch and then run round the room retrieving the ball! Ali’s face is a picture of smiles and laughter every time he manages to get the ball close to me. Ali cant walk by himself yet, but loves to explore,so part of his physical exercise is to walk or stand. After playing 'catch', we go for a walk. Ali leads, holding on to my hands,and, off we go to every place he is allowed. We always meet Ina or other volunteers and Ali will walk between us,taking 3 or 4 steps on his own. This is progress, for sure, as last year he could hardly stand.
Lunch time arrives and it's time for a short break.The house keeper and support staff (who are some of the students' parents) take over. We have time for a coffee and a chat and one student, Gultane, normally joins us. She is studying to be a lawyer; she works really hard at her studies and finds time to sell Avon.
After lunch its time to do an art/craft lesson; the students enjoy making almost anything from pom poms to jewellery! Although not every one can do very complicated crafts, when they find something they can do, they take great pride in their work: posters, paintings, mask making, etc., all bring satisfaction and a sense of achievement to each individual. This is the time they start singing; the school is filled with the joyful sound - whilst banging to the beat of the rhythm on the tables- of people singing, laughing and having fun with their friends!
Some of the older male students want to play football (not ideal inside!) so I go and take some sort of control. We bounce the ball, counting at the same time and 'head' the ball between each other,but,- as with any young people- it can get a bit out of control, so we use a yellow and red card system as in football. We all take it in turns to be the ref and they all understand the colour card system and being sent off (to sit for a couple of minutes) is generally respected. They all take great delight in sending me off!
As the day nears to a close, I spend a bit time with some of the students going through numbers and colours in English, play ball with Ali again across the table, cut open a few pom poms and play a few silly games. When the transport arrives to take them home there are lots of goodbyes, see you tomorrows and just a lot of wonderfully, happy students on their way home.
I have been here four hours and not a moment of stress or hassle! We, as human beings, could learn a lot if we looked closer and accepted others who are different!!!
Contact via
www.kusadasiokd.net
Looks like they new Paper is going to be a big help!!
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