RCCI – Rehabilitation Centre for the Communication Impaired

Our first stop after picking up the Bennions, missionaries with LDS Charities with the LDS church, was RCCI – Rehabilitation Centre for Communications Impaired. It’s to help adults and children with communication handicaps, whether it be caused by autism, Down’s Syndrome, strokes or other brain damage, dyslexia, hearing impairments, whatever.

It was started in 1993 by a woman speech pathologist who saw a great need. She couldn’t obtain government funding, but went ahead anyway, rented a house, and got working. Now the organization has about 110 students at any given point in time. Some are there for years, others for as little as a few months. It all depends on the needs of the individuals. They have volunteers there who help with the children, but they also have some permanent staff.

They have such a huge need for the services they’re providing. They’re looking at expanding, and this is one area that Karu helps with. He takes care of the fundraising, and he’ll get the money they need to buy some land and build the building they need, much larger than what they have now.

At present, they’re renting a house, and not a terribly large one at that. It’s the equivalent of about a four bedroom house, and they’re using every available inch. They need much more than double the area they have. They also need dormitory area, too. For students who are from distant areas who need their services for several months or longer. They’re working on this as well.

While we were there, there was one young girl in particular – probably around 9 years old – who was crying and screaming most of the time. She’s autistic, and can’t understand things the same way regular children without disabilities can. She wanted something and her teacher wouldn’t let her have it, so she was protesting. I think the director and staff felt a little bad for us being subjected to it. I didn’t mind it. She doesn’t know any better and it’s not like they’re torturing her or anything. They’re doing the best they can, and by all appearances, they seem to be doing a good job.

They also have a little shopping area set up – for things like milk powder, toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, etc. Basically, get them started with learning how to shop for basic items so that when they’re on their own in a grocery store, they still know what they’re looking for and how to ask for it. Don’t we call that Occupational Therapy in Canada?

RCCI – Rehabilitation Centre for the Communication Impaired

198/11A Siri Wimal Uyana
Nawala, Sri Lanka
Telephone: (94) 11-2805633

Author: LMAshton
Howdy! I'm a beginner artist, hobbyist photographer, kitchen witch, wanderer by nature, and hermit introvert. This is my blog feed. You can find my fediverse posts at https://a.farook.org/Laurie.

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