Help for the kids.

We are asking for help. We have three children right now who are requiring some specialized therapies. It will cost $55.00 a month for weekly therapy sessions for all three kids.

Antoni:

When Antoni first came to us almost 2 years ago, he was severely malnourished and couldn't speak. He was 6 years old and had been raised mostly on sugar water. One of his siblings was deaf and mute and as a result of spending a lot of time with him, Antoni didn't learn to speak. He made hand gestures and clicking noises with his throat.

His hair was thin and his belly stuck out quite far from the malnutrition. He spent time in the hospital and when he came to our place, he was put on a specialized diet.

Because of his lack of communication, Antoni was often frustrated. He would become angry and upset and cry at small things. This crying would often last for an hour and was an almost daily occurrence.

I (Naomi) started working with him a bit last June. I would have him repeat sounds and show him how to move his tongue to make sounds. He got frustrated easily until I explained to him that I wanted him to be able to communicate with us. I wanted him to be able to tell me when other children were picking on him. I wanted him to be able to tell me what he wanted to do and what he was thinking and feeling. The change on his face was dramatic. He understood that if he practiced, he would be able to communicate with us. He did not get as frustrated when told to repeat words.

His vocabulary started growing by leaps and bounds. With his vocabulary came his personality. He is hilarious! He can wiggle his hips and dance really well. He can make jokes. He loves to tell stories from school and also tattle on other kids. :)

But he is still far behind. He is difficult to understand. He often has to repeat himself several times until we understand. He sometimes gives up but often keeps going until we understand. He obviously needs more help from a trained speech therapist.

Maria:

Maria has been the victim of some severe abuse. As a result, she had a hard time learning. Since coming to us she has received some counseling and has been placed in a special school. She has made such great progress but when she was evaluated by a specialist she was found to have trouble with letters. Mixing them up, etc.

We give her extra help through the week with her homework, but she would also really benefit from some professional help.

Denis:

Denis has been with us many years. He has a lisp and when he was younger he went to a local hospital to receive free therapy. Since then we have moved and there was nothing nearby that was available.

He is completely understandable but would still benefit from some extra therapy.

Please pray and see if you are able to help us with the monthly fee of $55.00. If you can help with this need, please e-mail Chici at chicibarbella@gmail.com.

Please make out your cheque to "Christ Chapel" and write NLPM in the memo line. Please do not include any other words or names in the memo line (for tax reasons). Send your cheques to:

Christ Chapel

3051 Cloverdale Rd.

Florence, Al.

35633

Thank you so much! God bless.