By Lauren Fishbach | U.S. Board President, Co-Founder Delia's Center
Dear Friends,
Oh what a year we had in 2025 !
We've seen wonderful progress in our special kids...
We've been saddened to continually know that kids even with less severe disabilities, let's call them learning differences, are rejected from being given learning opportunities.
We've been enveloped in the joy and love that our children bring to Delia's Center, reflecting how much they feel valued by our team and each other.
And.. as we look to 2026, we are hopeful. Always hopeful that just around the corner is a chance for our kids to be welcomed and given a chance to show their communities how much they have to offer.
This year, more than ever, has unscored the importance of your support and generosity. As the school year began, local authorities opened a new "special" school in Barlad. We were hopeful again! The school is situated on the top two floors of an old building. There is no elevator in this building. The bathroom is downstairs. Parents and foster parents panicked. How would a child with trouble walking get upstairs? What about the bathroom? Local authorities decided the school day would be from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Parents would need to pick up their children at 11 a.m. for lunch and then return them to school. It was decreed that all children must attend or a family would be fined. We have children whose parents work. There are children who live in outlying villages with travel needed on mini buses to get into town. It just wasn't possible for them to drop a child at 8 a.m. pick up at 11. drop off again and the pick up again at 3 pm. Some parents spoke up. Others were afraid.
You may not be aware of it, but in this region children generally begin school in either the morning or the afternoon. So how is it that a child with severe non-verbal autism, cerebral palsy, or intellectual disbility is expected to have such a long day?
This has been so disheartening. But it also has underscored for us the importantance of Delia's Center. We have parents who just said "no" to sending their children five days a week into an environment that they feel is not appropriate. We have others who out of fear have accepted the situation. Throughout it all we remain a safe place for a parent to seek guidance. A place for children to be educated according to their needs.
We know what is most important for the children, especially those without families who are in foster care, is consistant compassionate care and stable access to education according to their needs. This work happens every single month—and it continues only when monthly support is in place. The children don't need a miracle. They just need adults who stay.
If you are not already a montly supporter, we hope you will consider becoming one in 2026.
Together, we ensure that Delia's Center for Special Needs Kids remains the place for children who are turned away elsewhere - this month, next month, and all year long.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season and look forward to being in touch again very soon. Please follow along with us on social media. Our own website will soon be hosting short term projects to assist specific children in need.
Happy New Year!
Best,
Lauren
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