A Catholic-run welfare center has launched its annual summer school in Korea’s Daejeon diocese to help the summer days go by with a swing for some disabled children.

Daedeok Welfare Center’s Rainbow School opened its doors on July 28 with a series of fun and learning activities for 32 children, who range from elementary to high school age, and suffer mainly from mental disabilities.

"During the summer vacations, disabled children are often stuck at home all day doing nothing and that adds even more to their parents’ burdens," said Elizabeth Cho Hye-jin, the center’s head of social rehabilitation.

"Rainbow School helps them have an active vacation."

The children are taken on trips to a nearby beach, tourist attractions and natural beauty spots. Indoors, they can enjoy cooking, sports, art and other creative activities.

There is also a more serious, therapeutic aspect to the summer syllabus.

“At Rainbow School, we help the children integrate with society through planned excursions like going to the movies, shopping and banking," said Cho.

"These activities, which they do with a teacher, lessens the fear that many of them have of going out. It also helps them get used to going out with their parents on weekends."

Related reports
Caritas ‘garden therapy’for the handicapped
Poor handicapped children get a chance to live with dignity
Youths learn important lesson from ‘special’kids

KO10602.1612