In the lead-up to the Day of the African Child, the Inclusive Early Learning Centre in Maroua organised a day of celebration and awareness-raising yesterday, Thursday, June 11, 2026, focusing on children with special needs.
In an atmosphere of joy and sharing, the Inclusive Early Learning Center of Maroua, located in Domayo Louggol, celebrated children with special needs on Thursday, June 11, 2026, through various educational, cultural, and recreational activities. Organized in the lead-up to the Day of the African Child, celebrated every June 16, this initiative aims to promote social inclusion, highlight the progress made by children, and raise awareness among families and the community about their rights and potential.
Songs, dances, fashion shows, and hygiene-related activities punctuated this vibrant day. Beyond its festive nature, the event also aimed to be educational. It sought to provide children with an environment conducive to expressing their talents, boosting their self-confidence, and reinforcing the learning they had acquired throughout the year.
The Inclusive Early Learning Center in Maroua currently welcomes 22 children with special needs. For the past ten months, these children have benefited from care provided by a multidisciplinary team composed of speech therapists, neuropsychologists, teachers responsible for the school curriculum, and caregivers. Thanks to this specialized support, the children are monitored throughout their rehabilitation, learning, and personal development process.
This celebration provides an opportunity to showcase to parents and the public the results of the efforts undertaken over the past several months. It also serves as a reminder that children with special needs possess abilities that can be developed
when they grow up in a suitable environment and receive appropriate support.
The hygiene activities organized throughout the day also serve an educational purpose. They aim to instill in children habits that promote their health and independence. As for the artistic performances and the fashion show, they help stimulate their motor skills, social interaction, and self-esteem. These learning experiences contribute to their development and their gradual integration into society.
According to officials, several children have made significant progress in communication, language, concentration, motor skills and social interaction.
Present at the celebration, Fadimatou Suzanne, a parent of a child receiving care at the center, expressed her delight at the progress made. « When my child joined the center, he was experiencing many developmental difficulties. Today, I see positive changes. He communicates better and participates more in activities. This is a great source of satisfaction for us parents, » she said.
For Fadimatou Suzanne, the work done by specialists represents a real relief for families facing the challenges related to disability. « Parents need to be supported and reassured. We are happy to see that our children are progressing gradually. I thank the speech therapists, neuropsychologists, teachers and all those who dedicate themselves daily to their well-being, » she adds.
For the 22 residents of the center, this day was much more than just a celebration. Above all, it was a recognition of the efforts made, an encouragement for the families, and an advocacy for better support for children with special needs within society.
Reactions :Viviane Samfouyou, Neuro-Psychomotor Therapist
« Each child presents particular difficulties. »
With these children, we are faced with several types of disorders, including motor disorders, mental disorders, learning disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders.
Our work consists of defining therapeutic objectives to support them towards greater autonomy. Each child presents specific difficulties and a different level of severity. Therefore, the objectives vary from one child to another.
For some, we work on language acquisition. For others, the goal is to develop a certain level of independence in daily activities, such as eating alone or moving around independently. And for still others, we focus on academic learning, particularly writing, to enable them to progress in their education.
In general, our mission is to help these children become more independent and better adapt to their environment, as they often encounter difficulties adapting. Each support plan is therefore individualized and tailored to the specific needs of each child.
MEGNE KUE, Speech Therapist, Head of the Inclusive Early Learning Centre in MAROUA.
To mark the celebration of the Day of the African Child, we wanted to organize various activities to offer these children the opportunity to share convivial moments with their parents, brothers and sisters, as well as with their friends who came to encourage them and discover the progress made over the last ten months, from September to June.
Thanks to the support of rehabilitation therapists and various specialists, the children received tailored care based on specific protocols. The results are encouraging, with nearly 70% of the initial objectives achieved. We would like to commend their commitment, perseverance, and the efforts they made throughout this period.
Although some parents initially had doubts about their children’s development potential, the progress made has generated admiration and satisfaction from everyone.
In line with the theme of the Day of the African Child, we also implemented activities focusing on handwashing, personal hygiene, and access to water. It is essential to remember that children with special needs, despite the challenges they may face, also need to learn good hygiene practices to protect their health.
These learning experiences help to strengthen their autonomy by allowing them to take care of their own well-being and health.
