Bujumbura, Burundi — In Burundi, a rustic the place autism remains to be largely misunderstood and lots of autistic kids are hidden away, the Talitha Koum centre is making strides in reworking perceptions and offering essential help.
Named after the Hebrew phrase which means ‘Get up and stroll,’ the middle not solely affords specialised care but additionally works to teach the group and help households coping with autism.
Alice, a neighborhood mom of three, together with one autistic baby, speaks concerning the challenges and the societal stigma that usually leads dad and mom to cover their autistic kids. “Few parents understand this, it takes patience and courage.
Some parents get discouraged and hide their children, hiring people to look after them in their bedrooms,” she explains. However, locations like Talitha Koum supply a beacon of hope and help for folks like her.
The centre’s coordinator, Jeanne d’Arc Nduwiyingoma, outlines its threefold mission: “It’s about care adapted to the child. The second objective is to support families, and the third is to raise awareness throughout the child’s environment.” These efforts purpose to foster higher understanding and integration of autistic kids inside their communities.
Dr. Mélissa Ingabire from the Sensory Integration Department emphasizes the significance of early prognosis, which isn’t frequent observe in lots of elements of Burundi.
“Early diagnosis really plays an essential role in the management of autism, first and foremost for the children concerned. It enables them to benefit from early and appropriate care, which will improve their skills,” she says.
The heart not too long ago gained further publicity and help by means of a singular initiative—a race organized by the Zinduka Club’s cyclists from Bujumbura to Kigali, Rwanda.
This occasion aimed to lift public consciousness about autism and collect funds to help Talitha Koum’s ongoing efforts.
Since its inception in 2020, the Talitha Koum centre has screened round 200 kids, with roughly 20 at the moment receiving care on the facility.
Through its devoted work, Talitha Koum aspires to turn out to be a middle of excellence on autism within the area, paving the way in which for better acceptance and understanding of the dysfunction.
https://www.africanexponent.com/burundis-talitha-koum-centre-pioneering-autism-support-and-awareness/
