SOMETIMES we may not realize it but in this life we meet people and some of them are very special. They touch our hearts, suddenly destiny plays its role and our lives are changed forever. A wise man once said, “coincidences never happen.” Things always happen for a reason, people are sent into your life to teach you lessons, good and bad. Sometime you are sent into people’s lives to teach them and so it goes on and if you follow your heart and reach out for your dreams and never lose hope then God and the forces of the universe unite to help you make your dreams come true. Saima Haq is one such person.
A graduate of University of California, where she got her Bachelor’s in Education for Children with Special Needs, Saima has also studied educational psychology and social welfare. But above all, she has put all her education to good use by opening a school for special children here in Pakistan.
Saima returned to Pakistan in 1993 and after sometime, opened her school for children with special needs. She started a small school with two students and one teacher. Subsequently others joined and Saima trained teachers and taught the students. Then as time went on more and more special children came to her school. Saima charges a fee from those families who can afford to pay. However, there are those who cannot afford the fees. For students of these families, it is no charge. Saima Haq’s wonderful school is called Special Children’s Educational Institute. At present she has 40 children studying in her school along with fully trained teachers who Saima trains herself. The school has a curriculum and tends to all the needs of the children. There is one teacher to two students.
Dedicated to her cause, Saima has the full support of her husband, both financial and moral. She feels that it is very important to create awareness and though it’s a struggle, Saima believes in persistence and never losing hope. For her, special children are just like other children. They have different handicaps and different problems and needs and each child has to be given the kind of help and education that he or she needs.
Saima Haq says fervently, “We really really suffer because of the unavailability of teachers”. To the parents of special children, her message is: “I know your fears and your pain. The future is uncertain and you worry about who will take care of your child if something happens to you. It is a very heart-wrenching situation and definitely a trial by God.” It is painful for the parents and that’s where Saima Haq and her school play a very important part. Says she: “If there is a special child or adult in the family or in the circle of friends, these children should be made as independent as possible. Education is very important. Today the child can be exposed to computers, but do find a special school. They will be nurtured and given love and there’s a method of teaching these children. They will not get certificates or degrees but they will learn and develop to their full potential.
“The mind will continue to learn if it is challenged, other wise the mind stops learning. The brain, like every other part of the human body needs to be exercised so that it functions properly. Make these children independent, as soon as possible. Toilet training skills should be taught at an early age. Make life easy and simple for them. Take them out as much as possible. Don’t worry about other people’s reactions. Just make yourself and your child happy and comfortable. Expose your child to the outside world as much as you can.
“Don’t ever give up. Always have hope. The children need to feel useful They need to be integrated members of society with whatever little or much they have to contribute and to this end they must be taught skills and crafts and whatever they can do,” Saima concluded.
It is painful for the parents and that’s where Saima Haq and her school play a very important part.
Most of us are blessed in so many ways and it is so very important to give something back. If God has given you a special child, it’s an angel. God created the child and I feel we are tested as to how we approach or deal with these little innocent angels. They teach us to be human beings and they teach us to be happy and content with whatever we have and most importantly they teach us how to love unconditionally.
Saima wishes that more and more people would come and help. She says that while it may not be the most financially rewarding job in the world, it is definitely the most humbling and spiritually rewarding work there is.
Her message to the people who venture into the field of education and teaching is, “Please give it a try. Even if this is not the field you want to be in for the rest of your life, it will really help you. It teaches you patience, compassion, it is humbling and you become truly appreciative and content with what God has given you. Most people want to teach normal children but very few venture into the field of special children. It is a joy being with them.”
If you have a special child or if you want to help in any way please contact Saima Haq at: SECI Special Children’s Educational Institute
22-A Sunset Street phase 11 Extension D.H.A. Karachi.
Phone: 589 4316
Mobile: 0321 221 614
Following the success of her school, Saima is planning to teach vocational skills to special adults who are in their twenties. Let us all wish her the best of luck.
SOMETIMES we may not realize it but in this life we meet people and some of them are very special. They touch our hearts, suddenly destiny plays its role and our lives are changed forever. A wise man once said, “coincidences never happen.” Things always happen for a reason, people are sent into your life to teach you lessons, good and bad. Sometime you are sent into people’s lives to teach them and so it goes on and if you follow your heart and reach out for your dreams and never lose hope then God and the forces of the universe unite to help you make your dreams come true. Saima Haq is one such person.
