Project Context
Hammana, located in Mount Lebanon, is home to Themarona Special Needs School, a unique institution serving 85 students between the ages of five and 15, who face learning difficulties and special needs; including conditions such as autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), epilepsy, and more. It welcomes students from different areas in Lebanon, including Aley, Al-Baniyeh, Al-Abadiyah, Ruwaisat Al-Balout, Bhamdoun all the way to Ras al-Matn, Sulaima, and Kafr Silwan.
Through their dedicated efforts, the school has achieved remarkable outcomes, ensuring equal opportunities and access for students to excel academically
Project Description
In order to help build the confidence and independence of these students, the school decided to work on a project that develops their life skills, in specific, financial management (saving, spending, planning, budgeting) and emotional regulation, ensuring them an equitable education.
The Themarona Special Needs School members have adapted the Aflatoun International Program, offering financial and social skills education to children, aiming to help their students develop their soft and life skills to gain more confidence. The program relies on active learning methods, providing students with innovative information and opportunities for their learning to develop, as well as creating positive change and a more equitable school environment.
To implement the project successfully, the school was also provided with devices and trained 20 teachers in digital learning skills. These teachers are now prepared to train and share their knowledge with others, ensuring the program’s long-term sustainability.
The students involved were from grades four until nine, and their progress was measured through focus groups.
The partnership has supported the students to become positive citizens within their community, where they learned about their rights and responsibilities. Moreover, they gained experience about working business models.
Their project embodies nafda’s core values, particularly social justice, by promoting respectful and fair treatment among individuals. The students have also embraced the value of citizenship, fostering a sense of responsibility as active contributors to Lebanese society. Additionally, they have acquired knowledge in social financial saving, enabling them to make responsible choices and effectively manage resources, tackle challenges, and handle emergencies and crises.
Achievements to Date
- 80.7% of the students showed an increase in self-acceptance.
- 46% of students showed an increase of sense of security.
- The students have learned how to manage distressing feelings with breathing and counting exercises.
- The students have shown more self-acceptance and social acceptance towards one another.
- The students acquired various digital skills, including creating their own email accounts and utilizing Microsoft Office. Additionally, they learned how to safeguard themselves through digital safety skills and navigate the internet proficiently.
- The project has helped develop more than 50 plans that are focused on students with mental challenges, with an aim of covering the whole curriculum for cycles one to three.
The Human Heartbeat
Some of the students who have Dyslexia used to prefer specific learning techniques, for example using computers for dictations. Once the active learning strategies were implemented, they became more enthusiastic and involved in learning processes. They learned about themselves, improved their organizational skills, and gained active citizenship values, among others. Moreover, a student at the school who was diagnosed with autism had difficulties attending a full day and used to become emotional before going into the institution. Step by step, the school started bringing him in for a few hours in order to attend a full day eventually, and he did. He now attends his classes regularly just like any other student.