Word games for special children launched

CEBU, Philippines - A word game for mentally and physically handicapped children in Cebu was launched yesterday by the World Center for Special Children-Asia at the Department of Education Applied Nutrition Center in Banilad, Cebu City.

Called the “Word Special Games,” this aims to help children who are mentally and physically handicapped, said Alejandro Salomon, director for World Center for Special Children-Asia.

Salomon said they would like to promote education for underprivileged special children such us those who have autism and down syndrome, as well as those who are physically challenged because of cerebral palsy.

He said they offer special training sessions and seminars for parents and caregivers, the first of which will be on February 3 to 4 of this year.

Salomon’s vision is to build classrooms and shelters for specially challenged children.

He added that through the support of benefactors, they can expand their coverage from Cebu to the entire country and to the rest of Asia particularly in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and other neighboring courtiers.

The Word Special Games provide special children with two major programs for specialized development. These are the Fitness and Fun Activities, which they called the therapeutic and adoptive physical education and the Developmental Skills in Sports and Adoptive Physical Education.

Beneficiaries will be evaluated and assessed to know what program would best fit them. 

Some parents may find sports dangerous for their children but Salomon said his program is effective in teaching children good attitude. They have activities that will promote socialization and good health like basketball, soccer or eskrima. 

Maximo Caballes, an eskrima grandmaster who was present during the opening, said will search for ways to assist the group in teaching special children eskrima for discipline and self-defense.

Julian Rendon, a father of a 19-year-old who has autism, expressed high hopes for the program and hopes to give his child a better future through it.

Word Special Games will be a free, whole day event every last Saturday of the month. The first will be on January 29 at the South Western University Coliseum track and field.

Word Special Games is a privately managed activity by the World Center for Special Children-Asia, which is open for donations from any group, institution and private individuals.   (FREEMAN NEWS)