The ‘Hope Centre’, a unique place of hope

The Daughters of Charity arrived in Abuja, Nigeria in 1996. In 2001, they set up the Hope Centre for children with disabilities. There are very few schools for these children among the 150 public and public schools in the region. People living with a disability still very often face discrimination and stigmatisation.

In 2021, the sisters have been even more inventive and daring in the education of these children: the school has been transformed into an inclusive school. Inclusion aims to bridge the gap between ‘normal children’ and ‘special children’, and to give everyone the best education according to their abilities, through mutual support and sharing.

A centre recognised for its inclusive education and professional integration

The children enrolled at the Centre, with or without disabilities, are aged between 2 and 25. They are placed according to their age and type of special needs. 

The school has a Montessori laboratory and a ‘Rosalie Rendu’ vocational training unit for young adults with disabilities.

"The acquisition of skills enables these young people to be self-sufficient and achieve a certain level of independence. At the Centre, they make liquid soaps, coconut oil, stain removers, candles, traditional bags, etc., which are sold at affordable prices.
There is also an agricultural unit where they produce vegetables, snails, fish and poultry. We use the income from these activities to develop and ensure the sustainability of the school." Sr Sylvia

The centre's staff are heavily involved in the activities: they take part in annual accreditation and training sessions on ‘children's rights and protection’, the Montessori education method and other training beneficial to children's growth and development.

The project: to strengthen the Centre's teaching and training facilities

The aid will be used to purchase :

- teaching materials required for the inclusive education method for children

- skills training materials for young adults over school age.

The beneficiaries are 65 children and young adults (25 boys and 40 girls) with intellectual disabilities from disadvantaged homes.

"The material educational aid will enable disabled people to have access to quality education and better integration into society." Sr Sylvia

With them, thanks to you