Donnacha had the privilege of visiting Hogar Niño Dios Special Needs Centre located just down the hill from the Church of the Nativity.
It is a home for severely disabled Palestinian children and some adults. Many of the children have cerebral palsy and other serious neurological conditions that necessitate use of wheelchairs. Some children have microcephaly, autism, Down’s syndrome, and genetic defects.
Some have poor vision or hearing. Most do not speak. Half of the home’s residents cannot feed themselves, and most require considerable assistance in the activities of daily living.
Four sisters of the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word reside in the home, which was founded by their superior, Mother Maria Pia, in 2005.
The sisters are the primary caregivers, assisted by lay staff who provide night-time supervision, meal preparation, cleaning, and playground supervision.
Teachers, physical therapists, and a speech therapist provide full time services right in the home because most of the children are unable to attend school outside the home.
Priests of the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word celebrate Mass in the home’s chapel, provide spiritual direction for the sisters, and interact regularly with the children. A local physician provides medical services weekly.
The centre receives financial assistance from a number of Lieutenancies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Seminarians from the Latin Patriarchal seminary visit regularly. Italian volunteers from Unitalsi and Misericordie assist several times per year.
The Lieutenancy of Spain also sponsor young pilgrims to visit and help with the operation of the centre. They participate in cleaning and painting projects and assist the sisters in feeding and playing with the children.
Donnacha met with Sister Maria Ronces, Sister Resucritade and some of the 38 children in their care. Sister Ronces showed him around the centre and introduced him to ‘her family’ and explained the challenges they face and the success they achieve.
Hogar Niño Dios Special Needs Centre will celebrate 20 year in operation next year.
