For the third consecutive year, children with disabilities in Gozo this summer were given the opportunity to attend SkolaSajf like other children. This was possible following an agreement between the Ministry for Gozo, the Foundation for Educational Services, Aġenzija Sapport within the Ministry for Inclusion, Volunteering and Consumer Rights and the Non-Governmental Association Gozo Voice for Inclusion Association Gozo. The service was given in Sannat Special Unit, Gozo.
Around 52 students who attended were offered a learning experience through structured lessons. Among the subjects were drama, science and music. In addition, the children were also offered training sessions with individual attention.
Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri and the Minister for Inclusion, Volunteering and Consumer Rights Julia Farrugia Portelli, together with the CEO of Aġenzija Sapport Oliver Scicluna, visited the Sannat special unit, found within the local primary school, where apart from meeting those responsible for the management of these services, they could also follow some of the sessions that were being given.
Farrugia Portelli said that this project is a clear demonstration of how much the Government is confident in voluntary associations.
"We wanted the disabled children to have continuity in the summer as well so that when they enter the winter routine they don't have a double challenge. I thank the NGO Voice for Inclusion Gozo that years ago had a dream that we continued to grow with joint work between three different ministries," she said.
On his end, Camilleri said that “it is a pleasure to note that the small number we started with, 9 children, has now increased to 52 children".
Camilleri went on to say that this programme is a testament to inclusion because these children with disabilities had the chance to experience the same experiences as the others.
Chief Executive of Aġenzija Sapport CEO Scicluna said that the collaborations between these different entities are very important because this means that services complimenting each other are being delivered. He continued that through this project with children with disabilities in Gozo, both an educational and a social need is being addressed thanks to the contribution of all the entities involved.
"It is the Agency's commitment to continue to invest and strengthen services in the community, especially those that are inclusive and that are also supportive for the relatives of people with disabilities," said Scicluna.