“Pyaari ammi, darna nae hae, aapka bacha sab kuch karsakta hae!” (“Dear mom, don’t be afraid. Your child can do everything!”) – This is the inspiring message the LUMS Community Service Society (LCSS) is trying to spread through working with the special needs’ community in Lahore. The annual Special Olympics 2017 at LUMS kicked off to a great start on Saturday, February 11. The event was brilliantly organised by LCSS, with Express News present for media coverage. The objective of this special day was to shine the spotlight on children with special needs. Kids from various schools and organisations based in Lahore spent the day showcasing their extraordinary abilities.
The day was full of a multitude of events, beginning with the Indoor Olympics which involved two categories: Young Athletes for the age group of 12-17 years and MATP (Motor Activity Training Programme) for younger children. Four MATP games were played one after another, including pole jump, football free kicks and jump in the hoop, followed by archery, bowling, zigzag walk, tunnel passing and finally table tennis. Every child was awarded a medal for performing to the best of their ability with a determined never-give-up attitude.
The Young Athletes participants played slightly more difficult games that required more mobility. They competed in baseball, basketball shots and table tennis tournaments. Meanwhile, outdoors football matches were being held between the schools in which the volunteering LUMS students also participated. The activities on this day were meant not just to give special needs’ children the same opportunities that the average child gets, but to encourage greater interaction and integration between the special needs’ community and the rest of society - in this case, specifically, the LUMS community.
As each game came to an end, the participants and volunteers gathered underneath a breezy tent to await the announcement of the winners and awards distribution.
Majid Khan, former captain of the Pakistan cricket team was present as Chief Guest to hand out the awards. After distributing the medals, he offered a few simple but moving words of encouragement and inspiration to the participants and volunteers present for being part of such a remarkable event. The day ended on a high note with everyone present forming a spectacular Human Chain; all participants, teachers and volunteers entwined hands and spiraled into a circle before joining up in the middle to dance with what little energy they had left. With another Special Olympics event successfully completed, LCSS is working harder to provide further opportunities for children with special needs.
LUMS Community Service Society is on of the largest societies at LUMS, which provides a range of opportunities for all interested in community service.
The event pictures can be viewed here.
