Pioneering experience of a Southern mother who built a school for people with special needs

In its feature yesterday, As Safir daily highlighted the story of a woman from the south, mother of a disabled child, who in 1996 opened the first floor of her residence in Aita Shaab to receive people with special needs and later founded her association that cares for similar children. The newspaper said this bold initiative by Da3ad Sroor witnessed and expansion having succeeded in drawing financial contributions from individuals, embassies, private enterprises and community organizations, resulting in the construction of a fully-equipped modern school that meets the requirements of children with special needs. However, during the Israeli aggression of 2006, a large part of the edifice was damaged, As Safir reported, but added, that the determination and steadfastness demonstrated by the southern woman enabled her to repair the school and reopen it. Today, the school hosts some 130 children from Bint Jbeil, the suburbs of Tyre up to Marjeyoon. Da3ad told the newspaper that she was pleased with her achievements, particularly in some cases where she personally helped girl graduates to integrate in society by becoming either teachers or dressmakers, while boys went on to work in mechanic workshops or barber shops. On the other hand, Da3ad criticized the absence of specialized public educational curricula for students with special needs, pointing to difficulties in their integration in public and private schools. She emphasised the need to develop public awareness and reinforce a culture within schools that embraces students with special needs. (As Safir, January 21, 2016)