Summary Annual Report - Senese Inclusive Education

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8 Students with vision problems find missing pieces When 11 year-old Jordan Faasisila of Sataoa Safata was referred to the vision screening programme of Senese Inclusive Education Centre he was attending the local primary school in his village. But it’s an experience he did not particularly enjoy or look forward to. Jordan contracted rheumatic fever at an early age and resulted in acute vision loss to add to the other physical symptoms of the fever. According to his mother Aiaifua Afemata Faasisila, Jordan found it extremely difficult to read or focus on his school work for longer periods of time. She says Jordan would often look at the books for a while, and then he would walk away. All that changed in October last year when he was referred to the programme. Jordan was examined by the eye clinic and he was given a pair of glasses that according to his mother, have changed his life dramatically, and how he deals with his school work. “I cannot speak for his teachers and his school. But ever since my son received his glasses, I see a huge change. He is reading more, and able to concentrate on his homework longer when he is at home. The glasses have helped him to maintain his interest in reading” said the relieved mother. Jordan’s use of his glasses is not limited to going to school and home. According to his mother, he wears them to Sunday school, to church and basically everywhere he goes. Jordan’s mother also encouraged parents of children with vision problems not to be disheartened as there is help available for their children, through eye tests and the provision of eye glasses. “We as parents must be alert and seek specialist help for our children with vision problems, so they will not miss out on a good future like their peers.” Another young student who has benefited from the use of glasses is Olioli Iosefo. Olioli Iosefo from the village of Safotu Savaii is 12 years-old and has Low Vision. According to the reports from the initial visits to the student, she stopped going to school when her parents and teacher found out that she has problems with her sight. In July last year Olioli was given a pair of +2.00 glasses, to everyone’s surprise, Olioli started flipping through a book and started pointing and naming things that she was looking at. The glasses were then given to Olioli as a gift. She was enrolled in the Sacred Heart’s Primary School in Safotu late last year and according to her teacher Fetineia’i Pese, the student has great potential. “Olioli is now able to point out letters and objects, and work on the resources provided by the team. She enjoys taking part in the interschool activities like singing and dancing. I believe there is a good chance that she can progress further given patience and understanding” said Fetina’i. There are no doubt plenty of students like Olioli and Jordan who are on the verge of missing out on a good education. But that will no longer be the case with our vision screening programme for early detection of vision difficulties, and the Samoa vision centre now opened for eye checks and the prescription of glasses. The Samoa vision Centre opens from 8 to 4 Mondays to Friday. Our Achievements Vision Services Vision Services In 2011, SENESE partnered with MESC and RIDBC and trained 47 teachers to conduct vision screening in their respective schools. A referral pathway was established for children who failed vision screening. Eleven students who have been identified through the program are now receiving education support through SENESE.The project also included the upgrading of vision clinics in collaboration with local government and not-for-profit agencies.
Our Achievements Audiological Services SENESE coordinated with the National Health Services the delivery of three hearing assessment clinics throughout 2011. Children from regular schools and special schools attend these clinics. The clinics were greatly assisted through the team of audiologists who visit from RIDBC Australia, Professor Phillip Newall, Cristy Newall and Genelle Cook. Close to 100 children were tested and over 60 fitted with high quality hearing aids. SENESE now has two trained hearing aid technicians who help keep children’s hearing aids working despite the humidity of Samoa. Technology restores the gift of hearing Uaealesi Vi’iga is back after being away in Australia for five weeks to receive an operation to help him to hear again. Uaealesi lost his hearing when he was 7-years-old after he contracted meningitis. He had been fitted with hearing aids but these were not strong enough. So Uaealesi was accompanied by his father Viiga Fa’atoia to Westmead Hospital, in Sydney, where the operation took place. There, the father was also trained to help his son with his rehabilitation of learning to listen and to speak again. “Thank you to SENESE who have helped us and made us aware of this wonderful program and now my son is able to fully participate in school and at home,” says Vi’iga. “Now his hearing impairment is no longer a barrier to full inclusion in school and home life.” Uaealesi is the fourth cochlear implant recipient for Samoa and will be the first to be receiving his rehabilitation via the internet using video conferencing technology. Kylie Chisholm from Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIS) will be coming to Samoa for 3 weeks to train staff from Senese to help develop and work with Uaealesi’s language program. We would like to acknowledge the support of Royal Institute of Deaf and Blind Chiildren (RIDBC), Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC), SENESE Inclusive Edcuation Services, Totalisator Agency Board , The Church of Latter Day Saints, who have either financially and logistically assisted us in making this into a reality. If you suspect that your child may have difficulty with hearing please do not hesitate to call SENESE Inclusive Education Support Services on 27531. 9
Page 1 and 2: Summary Annual Report 2011
Page 3 and 4: The Year in Review SENESE‘s work
Page 5 and 6: SENESE has worked diligently to ass
Page 7: Our Achievements Technology SENESE
Page 11: In the next three years In the next

Summary Annual Report - Senese Inclusive Education

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