Much excitement was in the air as everyone celebrated Woman’s day. After breakfast, the Kenyan and Tanzanian ladies opened the morning with song. Nomvelo and Jasmine gave a speech reminding everyone about the incredible force and strength of the women of South Africa who stood together to overcome oppression. Community work took a creative turn where groups got together to create beautiful land art features.
Neuroscientist, Dr Adele Diamond did the first presentation of the day. The theme was ‘Not Just Some of the Children, All of the Children. Adele introduced the El Sistema music initiative. El Sistema is program that comes together to make community and raise children up through music. Some children who do not do well academically, thrive once they are reached through music, having success at playing an instrument often results in over all well being and the children thrive. In impoverished communities, instruments are made out of recycled material. These instruments result in the Recycled Orchestra. The goal being to change the life of disadvantaged children. The Social/Youth Circus was brought to light, here children are given a chance to express themselves regardless of age, gender, body type, race, experience or skill, all are welcome with complete acceptance. Another initiative, QUATPROPS was demonstrated, juggler Craig Quat has introduced a program that makes juggling accessible to all. Moving the art of juggling from a vertical plain to a horizontal plane allows anyone to experience juggling which has many benefits overall, specifically when building neurological pathways. Adele then brought up Executive Functions. These functions are used for everything needed to pay attention and to focus. The three core executive functions that she spoke about were inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility. She discussed ways to strengthen and exercise these executive functions and what factors have negative effects on executive functions.
After tea, participants broke into groups for group readings and discussions and then had lunch.
After lunch, various offering and requests were held, which participants could choose to attend.
The afternoon session was presented by Nafisa Baboo, Senior education advisor for Light for the World. Nafisa shared some statistics around inclusive education and the difficulties facing those who have disabilities or special needs. Even though policies are changing toward those with disabilities and special needs, without resources, nothing can change. When thinking of inclusive education, Nafisa stated that the true meaning of inclusion is for all children regardless of abilities, learning together. Children with disabilities have the right to be contributors and not relegated to being supported or dependent on charity. She highlighted that for inclusion to work, every person has to play their part, not only the special needs educators. Some solutions that were brought to light were to identify the children with disabilities in the community, to raise awareness on inclusion and to counsel parents and families and link them to the services that they need.
In closing of the afternoon presentation, the men participating in the assembly gave credit to the strong women in their lives, as well as paying respect and tribute to the women participating in the assembly. The participants were then offered to attend a beading activity and some Bollywood dancing was on the plans for the dance floor. Dinner was served, after which participants made their way home for the evening.
