Adnan loves school. His mother smiles with pride and says to the Operation Mercy team, “Every day he wants to go to school.” Naturally gifted with a friendly and bold personality, Adnan thrives in most social settings, and it comes as no surprise that he enjoys meeting and connecting with the other children in his village in his first-grade class.
For children like Adnan, who have Down syndrome, entering the local school system is not always easy. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma associated with disability, and not everyone in the community is supportive of the idea of inclusion. “What is the point of putting a child like him in school?” someone asked Adnan’s mother. It requires cooperation between the classroom teacher, the school principal, and the family to overcome these social barriers.
The child must also be ready to enter school. When Adnan first started coming to the center in 2020, he impressed everyone with his ability to learn, his desire to communicate, and his wonderful self-confidence. However, he had a tendency to wander into other rooms where children were having their exercises, and it was difficult for him to concentrate on his own activities for any length of time. Even so, his potential for growth was abundantly clear. Over the next few years, Adnan continued to make progress in attention span, understanding basic concepts, physical coordination, and communication skills. A little over a year ago, the staff at the center felt that Adnan was ready for school and encouraged his family to enroll him in the local school system.
Adnan started school in September 2024. About a month later, a member of the Operation Mercy team visited the school along with a representative from the local center. It was an encouraging meeting. The school principal demonstrated a positive attitude and a willingness to accommodate Adnan. His classroom teacher asked for ideas on how best to support him. His teacher and his mother also maintain regular communication. It is a beautiful example of how the center, school administrators, teachers, and family members can work together to provide the best support possible for Adnan’s continued development.
There is a noticeable difference in Adnan now that he goes to school. He is able to sit still and focus on his exercises at the center. His communication and speech are rapidly becoming more understandable and complex. Best of all, Adnan continues to radiate joy, which he shares with those around him at the center.
