Supporting special-needs pupils in Pécs
As part of our SME Sponsorship Scheme in conjunction with HFI Kft. one of Hungary’s leading food processors, in 2024 we ventured down to Pécs for the first time, with the purpose of helping a network that provides vital help for children with learning disabilities in the region.
The Pécs Éltes Mátyás EGYMI institute educates and raises children and students with learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, visual, mobility and hearing impairments, autism spectrum disorders and other mental disorders. Their disability is due to inherited or acquired neurological problems, which often cause them to become exhausted, anxious or irritable during lessons, and they need a quiet, calm and safe place to learn.
Kornélia Finta, head of the institute, contacted the RBIF with the aim of creating an “Island of Tranquillity”, a place where the children can retreat to, relax, recharge, and then in a better psychological state, re-engage with their lessons and activities and reintegrate into their group or classroom.
The “Island of Tranquillity” has several functions. There are rooms for both relaxation and to release tension, including items like a hammock chair, helping to relax the muscles, soothe the child and induce a relaxed state, a tent with LED lights, particularly useful for children who, because of their sensory needs, need to withdraw from the “world”. A relaxation armchair with a colour-changing standing and reading lamp: the rocking of the armchair has a calming effect on the nervous system, where the child can read, look at pictures or relax. The standing and reading lamp next to the armchair can be changed in brightness and colour by means of a remote control. The different colours have a therapeutic effect, depending on the acute or chronic problem of the child. The rooms can also be darkened, while carpets and cushions contribute to the comfort. – explained Ms Finta.
The wonderful-looking house is a delight for all children and can be used in a variety of ways. Its size allows several children to play together, and doing so helps them socialise, develop communication skills and creativity.
For role-playing, we furnish the house with a variety of tools that stimulate children’s imagination, capture their attention and engage their imagination. They can hide in the cottage or simply relax.
The network also has a primary school for the mentally handicapped, which has a large percentage of pupils that cannot speak intelligibly, have severe language and speech impairments and have no other viable communication channel to replace speech. Some of the donation was used to purchase equipment to initiate communication between the children and their helpers. The tools are used to arouse children’s interest in communication.
We give them the opportunity to make choices through communication, and in time they will be able to express their wishes, and thus become calmer, more balanced and happier.
