World Down Syndrome Day is a day marked all over the world, celebrating people with Down syndrome. It holds on the 21st March every year.
This year Mo-Rainbow Down Syndrome Ability Centre marked the day by holding an event that was aimed at creating awareness among people in the community and giving parents and caregivers tips on how to take care of their wards with Down syndrome.
Prior to that, the center had created awareness within the younger community by visiting secondary schools and enlightening them on what Down syndrome is and why stigmatization should be stopped.
It was a successful cause as the children from the schools we more than eager to spread the word about what they’d learned.
The event kicked off with an opening speech from the founder and proceeded into the lecture which was the main event of the day.
At the event were three esteemed experts who enlightened and educated the audience on what Down syndrome is, the major challenges that arises with having or caring for a child with Down syndrome and how some of these hurdles can be averted and dealt with.
The children from the center entertained the guest by showcasing their runway skills, reading and singing to them. The audience was warm and receptive, they were engaged by the kids.
The last session on the program was the Q&A session where guests could have their questions answered by experts. It was an interactive session and a great way to bring the program to an end.
Mo-Rainbow Thrift Store was launched on the same day, it is an initiative started by the foundation to raise funds for the kids early interventional needs.
The idea behind it is to get the community involved by having them donate items in good condition – used or new – to the foundation, who in turn sells them back to other members of the community.
This creates an inclusive community and at the same acts as a fundraiser for the foundation. Most of the guests were supportive of the new market.
It’s safe to say that the event this year was a successful one, but the journey to creating more awareness on Down syndrome and the elimination of stigmatization only just began.
