Special Children’s Educational Institute (SCEI) is a Non-profit Organization that was founded in 1996 to establish an institute that provides a platform for the optimal development for children and individuals with Mental and Physical Challenges across all economic sectors of Pakistan.
The event that was aimed at promoting social change was managed by IDEAS Events PR. There were prominent speakers, art exhibits, interactive stalls, Sunflowers Vocational Centre products, and Community Service Awards given to youth during the event that was held at SCEI premises on a pleasant Friday evening. The goal was to create acceptance in society by showcasing the talents and potential of these children over the years and the Programs and facilities that are required by them day to day.
During Friday’s event, there was a special presentation on the ‘Cuddle Project’ which is an initiative to collaborate with schools to conduct workshops to create understanding of developmental disabilities through live experiences. The workshops consist of a series of activities that students do while being fitted with specially designed tools that limit some of their visual, perceptual and fine motor abilities. Once students experience these difficulties they gain a better sense of what it feels like to have limitations thus creating empathy rather than sympathy.
“I think that social change is a direct result of how we raise our children. If we want to change the way society deals with persons with disabilities we have to change the way our children see them,” said Saima Haq, the SCEI Principal. “That is why I strongly believe that an initiative such as The Cuddle Project, if carried out in collaboration with our local schools will change our society because it is an exercise that creates empathy,” she added.
The SCEI event was attended by prominent educators, artists, celebrities and star sportsmen including former Pakistan cricket captain Zaheer Abbas and hockey legend Islahuddin Siddiqui.
Leading educators, artists, athletes, celebrities and media joined hands with Special Children’s Educational Institute (SCEI) here on Friday at an event held in connection with the International Day for Persons with Intellectual Challenges
