Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) students visited the Address of Happiness Special Education and Rehabilitation Center. Children with Down syndrome had fun with the students they prepared fresh pasta and cake together. Stating that the center is a life center for students with down syndrome, Director of the Institution Bülent Aytaç Hançer stated that the basis of the work done is for disabled individuals to become individuals who can maintain their own lives at all stages of life.
“THEY ARE INCLUDED IN DAILY LIFE SKILLS”
Institution Manager Bülent Aytaç Hançer drew attention to the fact that individuals with down syndrome are involved in daily life skills together with activities.
Hançer said, “The aim of the studies is to enable students to become individuals who can maintain their own lives at all stages of life. In addition to studies to increase academic level such as Turkish, Mathematics, Language, Speech and Alternative Communication Skills, we carry out different studies to gain daily life skills, social adaptation skills and social life skills.
Hançer talked about other existing workshops besides the kitchen workshop, where students are also involved in their daily life skills. He gave examples of the works carried out in the work, occupation and skill workshop, the visual arts workshop and the music workshop.
“MAIN NEED: EDUCATION”
The President of the Association, Abdullah Özkan, explained the processes from the foundation of the association to this day. Stating that he thinks that people's main needs are education, Özkan said, “We are trying to concentrate on education aid-based studies. Our association will continue to provide food and clothing aid to those in need in our country and around the world.”
Head of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department Dr. Instructor Member Murat Doğan, on the other hand, said that they encourage students to contribute to social responsibility projects and that they attach importance to this. In the kitchen workshop, students who prepared fresh pasta and cake with the children with Down syndrome took a souvenir photo together after the event.
