WINDHOEK– The Side by Side Early Intervention Centre is a place for children with disabilities and their families in need of support.
It is managed by the two Directors of the organisation Sandra Hollweg (remedial teacher) and Anita Geier (neurological nurse). The centre is located at 15-17 Assuitstreet in Goreangab / Katutura. It opened its doors in March last year for eight children with disabilities who come on a daily basis to play, explore and develop new skills. The start of the Side by Side Centre means children with disabilities have access to support on five days a week from half-past-seven O’clock in the morning (7H30) to half-past twelve O’clock in the afternoon (12h30). The children’s needs are very different depending on the nature of their disability. At the moment it supports children with Down – Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and global developmental delays.
The Centre is the first opportunity to offer this level of support to the children and their families in a welcoming, stimulating, secure and caring environment. The age structure is between 0 and 6-7 years, the time that the children have to go to school like any other child. As from this March the centre is expanding to offer an early intervention programme for families who are concerned about the development of their child / children. In a 1:1 setting (remedial teacher : child) it supports and teach the child, based on the holistic approach of the development of the child. The approach stresses the importance of the development in the areas of language, perception, sensory, motor and playing skills, cognition, social-emotional as well as the self-help skills. The integration of the parents is essential. This allows the children the necessary support in their home and family environment.
Side by Side works hand in hand with other local organisations as well as local therapists. It helps to build a network to support the children with the most necessary treatments as possible. Parents who are concerned about the development of their child are welcome to contact us: 081 – 31 75 757. info@sidebyside-eic.org or visit our homepage www.sidebyside-eic.org