“I want better for children,” replied 17-year-old Sashauna when asked what is her wish for Christmas.
Being a blind child, she is fully aware that children with disabilities are not always
treated with dignity and are sometimes deprived of love and care. Sashauna is one of 140 students currently residing at the Salvation Army School for the Blind in Kingston, and like many of her classmates, she is looking forward to spending time with her family, even though she is cognizant that some Jamaican children do not have a family to spend the holidays with.
The teenager, who will be sitting seven Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations next year, intends to work on some of her School Based Assessments (SBA) over the holidays, “so they don’t pile up.” The aspiring social worker is also looking forward to consuming her favourite meal, rice and peas and pork, while enjoying a relaxing time with her family in Clarendon.
Sashauna and all her schoolmates at the Salvation Army School for the Blind were feted at a party hosted by the institution last Wednesday. Both students and staff were given gifts and an opportunity to unwind at the event, which was sponsored by Rene Johnson. The students were picked up by their parents the following day to be taken back home for the holidays.
Administrator for the institution, Captain Sandra Mitchell, is happy that all the students will be going home for the holidays this year. This is not always the case, as there have been occasions when parents were reluctant to take their children home during a holiday.
“Having a child with a disability is a difficult situation, and some families cannot accept it, so sometimes they would hide the children or just put them away. They are happy when school is re-opened, so they can take them back to the school,” she said.
In cases where the children were abandoned by their parents, they were taken in by the children’s home, which is located on the same compound as the school. Although the school hosts parenting seminars, they have found that some parents do not come because they have an issue travelling far distances to attend.
Describing the children as talented, bright and intelligent, Captain Mitchell wants the same thing as Sashauna—better for the nation’s children. Some of the proceeds from the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign went towards purchasing gifts for both children and staff.
“Some of them, that’s the only gift they will get. We wanted to ensure that if they don’t get it anywhere else, even though it is not a big thing, we provided something for them,” she said.
“I feel happy about going home. I feel excited about what is to come for the Christmas,” said Shanelle, who was heading back to Westmoreland to spend the holidays with her parents and extended family. She admitted that she cannot cook, but she intends to eat all she can as she prepares for another memorable occasion with her loved ones.
Nicola said that although she will miss her friends at school, she too is looking forward to having some family time. The 19-year-old is in sixth form at a traditional high school in Kingston and has never allowed her disability to prevent her from achieving her goals.
“I like that I can get rest from going to school and I can sleep and wake up late,” she shared when asked what she loves the most about Christmas.