"HERMANO BERNARDO"
CENTRE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION
BUIN
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INTRODUCTION
The HERMANO BERNARDO CENTRE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION is founded in 1984
in honour of the co-founder of the Brothers FIC, Brother Bernardus Hoecken,
who stressed the importance of "a special concern for the poor and destitude,
for the underprivileged and disabled, for socially weak and forgotten
groups, for those who experience little love" (Constitutions FIC, art.
17).
After the Brothers had established their
work in primary and secondary education, they saw also the need of children
who had special educational needs, in this case because of being mentally
handicaped.
At the same time there was a group
of (young) persons who were marginalized because of their socioeconomical
situation and their living in rural areas.
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| SPECIAL NEEDS .. SPECIAL ATTENTION .. |
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An educational centre,
giving special attention ...
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Loving help to walk ...
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Physio-therapy enjoyed ...
[helping when walking or posture deficiencies; massage]
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Speach-teaching
[imitating a drawing; making aware; trying to overcome a speach-defect]
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Exercises in front of big mirror
[imitation; exercise in looking, reacting to commands (listening and understanding), exercise of different muscles, etc.]
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To orient yourself in a space
costs a lot in the beginning, but gives much joy afterwards.
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Autistic girl, in 'endless' play with swing
[very much inwardly directed; avoids (does not like) (physical) contacts with others; sometimes very gifted in certain area; mosly without friends] |
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Autistic AND physically handicapped
[unable to speak; develops gradually some contacts with others]
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Deaf and emotionally disturbed
[condition partly caused by traumatic experiences]
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| Much attention to the individual child |
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Creative within her own limits ...
[in some classes teacher plus assistant]
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Young man with Down's syndrome, devoted to his task ...
[about 20 pupils of total of about 100; often have special gifts, e.g. dancing, acting (e.g. mimics), music; mimic therapy has given good results in improving contacts with others] |
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Modern means to stimulate reaction and interaction
[improving mobility of fingers; learning to read characters and words; games to improve hearing and reacting to commands; exercise in co-operation]
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The classes are surrounded by nature
[impression of 'always being outside'; change of seasons; fresh air; no neighbours; maximum 15 students per class]
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Two or three times a day a meal
is served
[children are at school from morning till afternoon; government and sponsors
provide meals] |
Laughing beauties !
[beauty can show in different ways!] |
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A couple of students preparing for particiaption in a
dancing competition
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Joyfully dancing the cueca (national dance)
[overcoming physical handicaps; encouraging co-operation; joy in life]
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They have won a medal in the competition !
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Celebration of Christmas: Preparing the Scene of Bethlehem.
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During the offertory of the Eucharist the students bring their gifts.
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The parents have to help their
child receiving Holy Communion. |
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During the month of August the Day of Solidarity is celebrated
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Solidarity expressed in drawings
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Drawing made by the students at the the celebration of
150 years Congregation F.I.C. ('In the footsteps of the Founders')
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With a little bit of help beautiful
things are made !
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| Preparation for daily life |
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Developing skills in the workshop
[a.o. simple carpentry work, weaving, simple coocking]
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Preparing for a job
[ manual dexterity; accuracy; routine; sometimes co-operation]
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Developing skills in the greenhouse
[developing manual dexterity; accuracy; co-operation; getting used to a labour-situation]
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Planting in the greenhouse
[basic abilities; co-operation; care]
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Work-experience in the garden
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| With love and professionality these young persons are helped to develop their abilities in order to be able to lead a meaningful and happy human life. |
| Buin, Chile, November 2002 |
