Poster competition aims to sensitise people to special children’s needs

Karachi

“We cannot lessen the challenges faced by children with special healthcare needs, but we can at least try to not to be one of the challenges,” noted Saima Haq, representative of Special Children Educational Institute (SCEI), on Friday.

She was speaking at a poster competition organised on the theme of ‘Special Children Share our World’, showcasing works of students of grades 3 to 8 from schools across Karachi. 

The event was judged by chairperson Special Olympics, Ronak Lakhani, CEO Canvas Gallery, Sameera Raja, and an academician at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Saira Ali.

Speaking to The News, Saima said there was a dire need to make people aware of the needs of special children. “Sadly the perception that these children don’t require education is still very predominant in our society, but contrary to that, it was as important for them to receive an education as it was for any other child.”

She encouraged families of special children to get them admitted to a school which catered to the needs of such children. 

“The West accommodated special children by giving them their own space in order to give them a sense of inclusivity; however, as far as Pakistan was concerned we have yet to start from somewhere,” she added.

The competition was being held as a part of the two-day Spring Festival, 2016 starting February 27 at the Beach Luxury Hotel.

According to Haq, “The objective of the festival was to do away with the differences and divisions of ‘special’ and ‘normal’ and embrace the beauty and innocence of childhood.”

The event was aimed at not just providing entertainment but also awareness, she added.

The winning poster would be announced on the second day of the festival, by renowned journalist and Jang Group of Companies President Imran Aslam.