Sheilah Sheldone Arts for Social Change (SSASC) CBO was founded on March 2019 by community members in Mombasa county to support the dreams of a child prodigy, Sheilah Sheldone Charles to impact on the lives of children suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in her community through creative work. Neurodevelopmental disorders include; autism spectrum disorders, down syndrome, as well as cerebral palsy.
Globally, one in 160 children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the World Health Organization. In Kenya, an estimate 3 in 100 children are living with cerebral palsy. Parents of children with autism experience common challenges including stigma, lack of appropriate treatment, financial and caring burdens. The day to day care of children who suffer from cerebral palsy can be so demanding. Mothers are frustrated frustrated into quitting their jobs to care for their children.
The project intends to nurture the artistic talents of children in Mombasa County through the provision of free access to Art and Painting gallery and materials; providing children with neurodevelopmental disorders access to a therapy room for sensory stimulation and rehabilitation; establishing an art gallery for the exhibition and auctioning of Sheilah's artworks and paintings to the residents and visitors of Mombasa County, revenue received used to educate children with special needs.
This project will use the arts as a vehicle to promote social change and economic empowerment among children with special needs and their families. Families of children with special needs will acquire skills on Arts, Business Skills, and Marketing Strategies. Children with special needs will have access to a sensory stimulation theater where they shall receive regular therapy and rehabilitation treatment. There'll be increased sensitization forums to create awareness on special needs.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
