White Heart Association for Children with Down Syndrome

Caring Hearts & Caring Hands OVERALL PROGRAM GOAL Caring and rehabilitation of children with Down syndrome, building their capabilities and providing them with the opportunity to integrate into society and with their peers in schools. OUR MESSAGE Advocacy and raising awareness of the issues of children with Down syndrome and facilitating their access to various sectoral services. OUR VISION An equal Syrian society based on respect for human rights, including people with disabilities - specifically children with Down Syndrome - emphasizing the principles of inclusion and participation. WHC's Helping Hands & Sharing Hearts care mission aims to increase the number of special needs ... read more Caring Hearts & Caring Hands OVERALL PROGRAM GOAL Caring and rehabilitation of children with Down syndrome, building their capabilities and providing them with the opportunity to integrate into society and with their peers in schools. OUR MESSAGE Advocacy and raising awareness of the issues of children with Down syndrome and facilitating their access to various sectoral services. OUR VISION An equal Syrian society based on respect for human rights, including people with disabilities - specifically children with Down Syndrome - emphasizing the principles of inclusion and participation. WHC's Helping Hands & Sharing Hearts care mission aims to increase the number of special needs children enrolled at the Center to 100 over the next three years, and to improve and develop the services provided to these children in accordance with international educational standards, as specified in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. WHC's care and rehabilitation commitment for Syrian children with Down Syndrome is empowered by the following guiding principles: An equal Syrian society based on respect for human rights, including all people with disabilities - with special focus on children with Down syndrome - by emphasizing the principles of inclusion and participation. Attracting, integrating, and empowering children with Down syndrome to achieve greater societal awareness and respect for the innate rights of special needs children with disabilities. Avoiding disability stereotypes, breaking down societal taboos, removing stigmas surrounding people with disabilities, and correcting harmful practices and behaviors that exclude people with disabilities simply because they have a disability. Objectives: To provide psychological, physical, and educational services to rehabilitate children with Down syndrome to strengthen their life skills. Raising community awareness about the rights of all children with disabilities, including children with Down syndrome. Encouraging community leaders and government decision-makers to take measures that ensure societal participation and inclusion of children with Down syndrome Services: 1. Psychosocial Support: White Hearts Center provides psychosocial support for children with Down syndrome, empowering the children to constructively adapt their skills, mobility, and behavior, and more fully interact with their families and community. 2. Education and Learning: WHC currently operates four classrooms offering four categories of care, according to the chronological and mental age of enrolled children. Education and therapy programs include independence skills, daily life skills, and self-care skills. 3. Speech and Pronunciation Services: Children with Down syndrome normally suffer from speech difficulties, and diminished speaking and pronunciation skills. Our specialists deal with children individually to assess their abilities and diagnose their needs. 4. Physical Therapy Services: Providing a full range of physical therapy services is a vital part of the comprehensive care program for children with Down syndrome, who face physical and mobility challenges that affect their quality of life.