I.H.C Appeal

Being intellectually handicapped is something which could happen to anyone.

The brain just does not develop beyond a certain mental stage, due either to accidents of nature or an injury during infancy.

For these people there are two schools in Gisborne Kahutia School for young people up to the age of 15 to 18 years which is operated by the Hawkes Bay Education Board, and the Donnelly Training Centre, run by the Intellectually Handicapped Children's Society.

The purpose of an occupation centre is to develop the children mentally, physically and socially within the limitations imposed by their handicaps so that both at the centre and in their own homes they may lead happy and interesting lives.

After leaving Kahutia the young adults can attend the Donnelly Centre, an opportunity workshop where they are trained to make various articles and do tasks of varying complexity.

It is here that they can be stabilised, and last year three of them were placed in employment in the city, an achievement of which Mrs Dorrie Dennis and Mrs Min Sutton who operate the centre are very proud.

This shows the great advantage and value of the centre.

However, due to limitations of distance, these places are not available to people from the country area which extends from Hicks Bay to Wairoa.

This is the reason for the building of a hostel for which an appeal for funds will shortly be made.

The hostel will provide accommodation for country people from Monday to Friday allowing them to attend the schools where they will be able to do something useful and have an object in life.

The pride these people take in their work is heartwarming, particularly when outsiders take an interest.

The national appeal takes place on April 8 and Gisborne's share of the appeal will go towards the cost of the hostel.

Timetables are very fluid at Kahutia where the children are led in their schooling.

At Donnelly the work is varied and keeps the pupils interested.