Over the past fifteen years, we have witnessed stories of children conquering mountains, defeating the odds, and overcoming challenges. The Raining Season is a place of hope for ALL children, especially those with special needs. Its unwavering commitment to inclusivity means providing a safe place for children to be loved and cared for well while also working to support those with disabilities and working to remove the negative stigma often associated with disabilities in Sierra Leone. Our staff works to empower children with disabilities to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.
If you have traveled to The Covering, you probably know Moses. However, you might not know all he has overcome, and it is something worth celebrating! Moses' story is a testament to the dedication of our staff and others who work tirelessly to support Moses. Moses is deaf and mute. He came to The Raining Season in 2013, just before his second birthday.
Because of Moses’ needs, a regular education would help him reach his full potential. That is why, when it came time to start school in 2017, he began attending The National School for the Deaf in Freetown. During his time at the school, he has grown in many ways. He used to point and make gestures to communicate, but now he is learning communication skills through sign language, lip reading, and the written word. He is also expressing more interest in language and oral communication. He is really proud to show others what he's learning. One of the school teachers donates time after school to work with him one-on-one, and this extra help has benefited him tremendously.
In 2019, Moses had the opportunity to visit the St. Joseph School for the Hearing Impaired in Makeni. The Raining Season arranged for him to have his hearing tested, and he qualified for hearing aids. He received the hearing aids in 2020, but he has had a difficult time with them. The hope is that as he grows and matures, he can try the hearing aids again and hopefully be successful using them.
Today, Moses is twelve years old. His story might have looked very different if it weren't for The Raining Season. In the eleven years since coming to The Covering, Moses has been able to celebrate both big and small milestones. He radiates joy and is communicating better each day. Education is just one way that empowers the children in our care as we work to provide opportunities to all children, including those with special needs. As Moses attends school, our goal is that he will one day be able to function in the real world, be independent, and, hopefully, learn a trade.
Will you join us in praying for Moses and all the children at The Raining Season? We pray that they will know Jesus and know that they are loved. We also pray for the Lord's protection over them. We specifically pray for Moses that he will continue to grow in his communication skills and achieve new milestones.
Many blessings,
The Raining Season
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