Psychopedagogic day care centre for children and youth

"Enfants du paradis" is a psychopedagogic day care centre in Tangier for children, youth and young adults of both sexes aged 0 to 30 years. It has been founded in 2007 by affected parents and special educators and is one of Morocco's leading institutions in this subject area.

There are not only skilled specialists working at the centre, but also volunteer parents. The modern institution is a novelty in Morocco, a country where until recent years mentally disabled children had been stigmatised and hidden by their parents. The institution is cooperating with ministries as well as national and international organisations which are dealing with related topics.

The currently 90 children and youth that are attending the centre every day are suffering from mental disabilities, down syndrome, autism, infantile psychosis, behavioural disorders, psychomotoric problems, developmental disorders, and cerebral palsy (CP).

The institution is diagnosing the exact syndromes as it has more experience than most general practitioners in the country. All staff of the centre has in fact been trained at the centre itself. The centre is offering education and therapeutic care from the age of birth to adulthood. The children and youth are split into various groups according to age and mental capacities.

The aims of "Enfants du paradis" include early diagnosis for babies which show pattern of psychoaffective, neurological and psychomotoric disorders, providing education aiming at social integration (some children are being prepared to be able to attend the regular public school system), developing self-reliance, integration into the social environment, basic vocational training for purposes of socio-professional integration, carrying out awareness-raising seminars and campaigns for the general public, and supporting parents by means such as self-help groups and parental training.

The activities include school classes, nursery school, reeducation, and development of self-reliance, expression, communication and manual skills, sports, leisure, therapies and vocational training.
The centre is open during the whole year with the exception of the months of July and August.

Volunteers:

The centre is looking for a volunteer sports coach who ideally has experience with teaching sports to disabled, but this is not a requirement if the person sees himself/herself capable to do this task without previous experience. The children who practice sports are aged 6-21 and the disciplines include athletics (shot put, high jump and running), gymnastics, football (soccer) and basket ball. Some children participate in competitions.

Further, the centre is looking for a psychomotoric therapist to train the centre's educators.

Also instructors of arts, handcrafts and creativity for children are needed. The idea is to produce objects with the children that can be sold at the summer party which is taking place every year in June. The preparations for the party which is taking place in the city centre and which is being attended by several thousands of visitors, start as early as March. For this reason, for the months of March to June volunteers are needed to instruct the children in dances, choreographies, singing, show etc. Further, volunteers are needed to prepare and organise the party (planning, coordination, advertising etc.).

During the whole year, the centre is looking for experienced volunteers from the subject areas of music therapy, speech therapy, psychology, psychotherapy and child psychology. Knowledge in techniques such as speech therapy according to Padován, ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) are highly appreciated.

Volunteers should be able to communicate in French.

Info box:

Location: Tangier, Morocco

Duration: Minimum 3 weeks

Special qualifications needed: yes/no

Costs: none, the trouble-free package is optional

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Not included

Included: Placement in the project; if you opt for the trouble-free package the whole range of services which is part of the trouble-free package is included

Not included: Travel to Morocco, health insurance