The ministry of the Diocese amongst the mentally disabled children of Lahore began in 1990. The visionary founder of this service ministry is Mrs. Khushnud Mussarat Azariah, also the founder of Dar-ul-Khushnud, Karachi (DUK) and Dar-ul-Mussarat, Karachi (DUMK).
Dar-ul-Mussarat, Lahore (DUM-Lahore) has over 65 children and their primary focus is the self-confidence training, of the mentally disabled children. Basic training such as eating, dressing, toilet training, walking and concentration are done. Once these basic skills are acquired there are opportunities for art work, carpentry work, weaving skills through the weaving machines, speech and physiotherapies.
At Dar-ul-Mussarat, Lahore we believe in providing the best of everything and the facilities given to the mentally challenged children can be seen through our various indoor & outdoor activities, training programs and the progress made by our children in achieving the goals set for them.
Development of Students
INDOOR activities:
- Teaching of basic living skills of eating, dressing, walking, concentration, and toilet training
- Children are regularly taught to comb hair, brush teeth, wash face and pat it dry. They were also taught to take off and put on their clothes, socks and shoes
- Toilet training; when a child comes to Dar-ul-Mussarat she/he is not toilet trained, but with the efforts of the teachers and proper time table students have been trained
- Taking children for walk within and outside the campus and to neighboring area has been beneficial in developing confidence Students who cannot walk are also given walking training
- The children are taught to make art items through clay, wood, paper and cloth in art work classes. Besides they also paint pictures and vases
- In the music class all the students and teachers assemble in the hall and sing nursery rhymes and songs with the music teacher. Children sing songs with action
- Parties are always fun. Every last Friday of the month the birthdays of the month were celebrated. Before the summer and winter holidays, children have party time
OUTDOOR activities:
- Playing cricket, badminton, football, or spending time on the swings is a regular part of outdoor activity
- An annual sports day arranged between Jan - March. The main emphasis of this day is give the children opportunity to participate in outdoor activities. Prizes are given to all the students, no matter they won or not because it is not what position these children get but it is the confidence they have to participate in various events
- Regular picnics are arranged for children. Outings at public places develop the sense of being independent and help in developing relationship with the people around them. Going out for picnic surely leaves a sign of happiness and liveliness on the faces of our children
Development of Teachers
- Training sessions, workshops, counseling class are conducted regularly. Quarterly evaluation and reports of each child are prepared. Every morning staff is on duty one hour before children come to school, and began the day with 15 minutes devotion led by one of the staff member
- Teachers attend training/ workshops on different topics at local schools and institutions of special education in Lahore . Besides, during the summer break, training and evaluation programs are organized
Development of Parents/Families
Parent-teacher meetings are organized twice a year one in January and the other one in June. In these meetings reports of individual child are given, discussing the problems and progress of students. The goals, program and activities of school are also discussed with the parents.
Development of Community/Society
The community and society needs to be trained to understand the mentally challenged children. Friends and guests are regularly invited to Dar-ul-Mussarat and our children also attend and participate in many programs at other schools and colleges.
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