{"id":12702,"date":"2022-04-08T10:27:23","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T10:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/hope-for-autistic-kids"},"modified":"2022-04-08T10:39:52","modified_gmt":"2022-04-08T10:39:52","slug":"hope-for-autistic-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/hope-for-autistic-kids","title":{"rendered":"Hope for autistic kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. <\/strong><\/span>Khethang Mont\u0161o was dejected when he learnt that his son was autistic and says he didn\u2019t know what to do. He said his nine-year-old behaved \u201cweirdly\u201d and together with his wife were in a constant battle to find out the source of this odd behaviour.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe took him to both traditional and western doctors to find out what his problem was until it was confirmed that he was autistic, although most people were not aware that it existed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He started reading about it and he also later learnt of a support group of parents with autistic children meant to help each other. With his wife, Monts\u2019o says they have now become effective in handling their child\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are very protective of him and we really don\u2019t care what others say, we learn as we go,\u201d he said, adding: \u201cThere is neither a nurse nor doctor that can tell me about my child\u2019s life, even medication.<\/p>\n

Instead, I am the one who can tell them. \u201d He said many people don\u2019t understand people with intellectual disability and autism hence they consider them as \u201cabnormal\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said he was excited at the launch of a centre aimed at helping people with autism, saying it will change both parents and children\u2019s Iives for the better.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough it we will see the gifts God has granted us and the wisdom he gave us to raise these children every day, it will help us raise our children,\u201d he told thepost.<\/p>\n

He was speaking at the handover ceremony of the Intellectual Disability and Autism Lesotho (IDAL) centre yesterday. The centre was sponsored by Standard Lesotho Bank in partnership with Vodacom Lesotho, Let\u0161eng Diamonds and Metropolitan Lesotho amongst others.<\/p>\n

It was designed and constructed by 13 graduates under an in-loco fellowship with an organisation called RISE. IDAL chairperson, Nyolohelo Tjekeche, said she was happy that their dream was fulfilled and that the centre plans to collaborate with the health ministry to increase public awareness about autism especially among women, starting from their pregnancy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will help parents recognize their children early for early interventions,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She said the centre is also planning to partner the education ministry to train teachers who will then be able to identify children at an early age, while collaborating with the Ministry of Social Development could result in the training of social workers who will offer counselling for both parents and children.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is difficult to raise children with special needs,\u201d she said. She said they will turn the place into a relief centre for parents to run other errands.<\/p>\n

She said the association works with volunteers hence it is difficult \u201cto have consistency and accountability. We need help with a full-time secretariat that will help us run this centre smoothly.<\/p>\n

\u201d RISE founder, Daniela Gusman, said the centre was \u201cextremely special and unique for many reasons and it will do incredible work. \u201d<\/p>\n

She said the centre will start with a diagnostics or consultation room, a multi-sensory room and physiotherapy. Social enterprises such as hosting birthday functions, parties and weddings will be used to generate the centre\u2019s own income.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were extremely happy when IDAL approached us because they were all about building Basotho entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

Speaking on behalf of Standard Lesotho Bank CEO, the acting head of marketing Manyathela Kheleli said the bank was keen to support health and welfare issues, particularly for orphans and vulnerable children.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis interest is premised on our strong belief that no matter what the circumstances are, all children deserve love, guidance and security.<\/p>\n

As a corporate citizen, we are duty bound to support organizations that support children. This is aligned with our vision as we continually seek new ways to make dreams possible through our IT CAN BE tagline,\u201d said Kheleli.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we are presenting here is very unique because it is a result of collaboration with our customers and other people of goodwill,\u201d he said, adding that the financial institution raised M413 400 from two golf events and chipped in with a similar amount in line with a pledge it had made.<\/p>\n

However, he said they encountered a shortfall of M342 205, which the bank again chipped in with. \u201cOur goal is to inspire hope to all children because we believe that a good tomorrow starts today,\u201d said Kheleli.<\/p>\n

Vodacom Foundation External Affairs Manager, Katleho Pefole, said they were happy that they extended a helping hand. \u201cWe are committed to continue assisting as we are in this together.\u201d<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Lesotho<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. Khethang Mont\u0161o was dejected when he learnt that his son was autistic and says he didn\u2019t know what to do. He said his nine-year-old behaved \u201cweirdly\u201d and together with his wife were in a constant battle to find out the source of this odd behaviour. \u201cWe took him to both traditional and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":12701,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,8,9,16],"tags":[233,246,1749,245],"class_list":["post-12702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-homepage-english","category-miscellaneous","category-twitter","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-lesotho","tag-kids","tag-lesotho"],"yoast_head":"\nHope for autistic kids - Lesotho<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Khethang Mont\u0161o was dejected when he learnt that his son was autistic and says he didn\u2019t know what to do. 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