Inspire calls for sponsors for its summer school assistants

Inspire is currently hosting an eight-week summer school at its Marsascala premises, which includes 200 other children of mixed ability and about 35 children with disabilities. The latter are accompanied by 34 learning support assistants (LSAs) who give one-to-one assistance to children with disabilities or work with a maximum of two who need less supervision.

Each learning support assistant costs Inspire around €1,200

“We don’t see why children with disabilities should not enjoy the fun and friendship that summer school offers to all,” said Paula Doumanov, senior ma­nager at Inspire.

The summer school comprises three or five-day programmes of recreation and social interaction using arts and crafts, sports, horseback riding, drama, creativity, computer, multi-sensory activities and outings.

She explained that the summer school, which is now in its sixth year, is the most experienced and specialised for children of mixed-abilities in Malta.

However, for it to run smoothly, Inspire depends on the work of highly dedicated LSAs who help run the summer school.

“When LSAs adapt the activities to the needs of the child they ensure that no time is wasted for them to become immersed in each activity,” she added.

LSAs are continuously on the ball, their supervision is constant, and they each give around 240 hours of work, she said.

Prior to the summer school the LSAs attended one week of intensive training.

They were briefed on the year’s theme, received handovers from Inspire tutors, refreshed their insights on how to deal with difficult behaviour, met the families of the children they would be taking care of and prepared to adapt the curriculum for the children assigned to them.

Each LSA costs Inspire around €1,200. A number of sponsors support the cost of an LSA each year, but Inspire still needs additional sponsors to fund some of the 34 LSAs this year.

“We’re hoping other organisations and businesses come on board to alleviate the high costs of what really is a service we simply cannot do without,” appealed Doumanov.

Gasan Mamo Insurance Ltd has sponsored an LSA since 2007. Managing director Albert Mamo expressed the hope that his company’s modest con­tribution would encourage other companies to come forward so that the costs of all the LSAs at Inspire’s summer school would be covered and financial hardship of families is alleviated.

Daniel Agius worked as an LSA at last year’s summer school and is taking part in this year’s too.

“It was intensive,” he said, “but the rewards by far outweighed the challenges,” he said. “It was hard dealing with severe disabilities but ultimately children win you over.

He added that the able-bodied children included their peers with special needs without batting an eyelid. “Children are so accepting of disability. Once they get over their curiosity they are more interested in making friendships than in discriminating,” he said.

To sponsor an LSA at Inspire call Sorcha Hogan on 2189 0000, or send an e-mail to sorcha.hogan@inspire.org.mt.