Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria celebrates Nelson Mandela International Day

The Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN) today joined the whole world in celebrating Nelson Mandela 93rd birthday as well as marked the Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the United Nations General Assembly that established July 18th as Mandela Day by its resolution A/RES/64/13.

The Nelson Mandela International Day recognizing the contributions of the great son of Africa to democracy, racial justice, reconciliation, and his dedication to the services of humanity.

At the Adegoke Street, Surulere, Lagos State Resource office of the foundation, some staff of the Information Centre of the United Nations (UN) Nigeria visited to join in this year’s campaign and call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation for individuals around the world to donate 67 minutes of their time to changing the world for the better.

According to the team leader, Mrs. Araba Olajumoke, the objective of this year’s celebration of the Mandela Day was to affect humanity.

“The overarching objective is to inspire individuals to take action and in doing so, empower entire communities and build a global movement for good,” she said.
The campaign slogan for this year’s celebration is; Take Action, Inspire Change: Make Every Day a Mandela Day.

While receiving the UN delegation to the foundation, the National President, Mrs. Rose Mordi , said that the children and staff of the foundation were thrilled when they were informed that they would have visitors from the UN coming to celebrate the birthday of Nelson Mandela with them.

“Every African and every right thinking person knows the sacrifice that Madiba Nelson Mandela made for his country and for reconciliation and we are happy to be part of this great celebration. What is happening here today represents the kind of person we are celebrating is; a man that takes every human being to be equally loves and respected. We wish him the best of health as he celebrates his 93rd birthday. We are the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria will keep praying for him,” she said.

They UN group were led through a tour of the facility by the foundation’s administrator, Mrs. Patricia Peters after which the slide projector presentation about the life, struggle and achievement of Nelson Mandela was shown.
Also, a biographical movie entitled Invictus about the life of Nelson Mandela was shown to the children.

Araba later led the group to do some cleaning of the facility and also the hostel as well as cooked for the children who were evidently happy to be included in the celebration. All the children and members of staff later sang a happy birthday song to Nelson Mandela and wished him many more years to affect humanity the way he has been doing.

Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria Wins International Award on World Down Syndrome Day.

Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria Wins International Award on World Down Syndrome Day.

By Ahaoma kanu

The Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), the charity that takes care of people with Down Syndrome in Nigeria and the west coast joins all other Down Syndrome organizations all over the world in celebration of the World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) which is officially marked on March 21st of every year.

The World Down Syndrome Day-WDSD is a global event supported by all Down syndrome groups worldwide and we at DSFN use this period to focus our efforts in Advocacy, Awareness and interactive and educative partnerships to overcome the prejudices of people living with Down syndrome.

The foundation had series of activities to commemorate the event which included an inter-house sports, a comedy show entitled Comedy Infusion which was celebrated yesterday at The Incubator, Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, opposite RCCG Church (City of David) Lagos. The event witnessed top comedians like Emeka Smeth, Teju Babyface, Klint Da Drunk, Funky Mallam, AY, Seyi Law, Elenu and Shakara. Music entertainment came from Ice Prince, Buzopat, W4, Ray 9 and Ara. The event was packaged by Meljenstin PR & Events, E-Smith and Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria. An Open House event which will feature several activities will cap the celebration.

Also, the foundation is one of the recipients of the 2011 World Down Syndrome Day Awards courtesy of the Down Syndrome International (DSi) based in the United Kingdom but comprising a membership of individuals and organisations from all over the World, committed to ensuring quality of life and human rights for all people with Down syndrome .

The announcement was made today and the foundation won in the award in the Outstanding Professional Categories for organisations that have affected people with Down Syndrome in the world.

Speaking delightedly about the award, the National President of the foundation, Mrs. Rose Mordi said the foundation was grateful and really encouraged by the award.

“Honestly, I must say that we are surprised by this honour and we dedicate the award to God Almighty for given us the strength to be doing what we are doing and also to our members, volunteers and well wishers,” she said.

The foundation was the only African country to receive the award this year which is the second edition of the awards.

According to the Mr. Andrew Boys, Director of DSI, a formal presentation formal presentation of World Down Syndrome Day Awards for the years 2010-2012 will take place at the 11th World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) in Cape Town, South Africa from 15-17 August 2012.

Below is the Press Release published by DSi and can be viewed at the link http://www.ds-int.org/news/1666

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release on Monday 21 March 2011

DOWN SYNDROME INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF 2011 WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY AWARDS

On Monday 21 March 2011, World Down Syndrome Day, Down Syndrome International (DSi) is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2011 World Down Syndrome Day Awards.

2011 is the second year of the World Down Syndrome Day Awards, presented to individuals or organisations whose voluntary, professional or scientific activities have strengthened and enriched the lives of people with Down syndrome, or contributed to scientific advancement related to Down syndrome.

This year’s recipients are as follows:

Voluntary and Professional Awards

4 individuals with Down syndrome receive awards for outstanding self-advocacy:

Ty Belnap (Australia) – Record breaking swimmer, surf lifeguard and stage and movie actor.

Mia Farah (Lebanon) – Self-advocate and international disability rights campaigner.

Malgorzata Jablonska (Poland) – Stage and movie actress, performing in many European countries.

Sujeet Desai (USA) – Accomplished musician and self-advocate with worldwide reputation.

3 individuals receive awards for outstanding professional activities:

Dr Branka Butorac (Croatia) – Headmaster of Down Syndrom Centar Pula, Croatia.

Driton Bajraktari (Kosovo) – Co-Founder and Executive Director of Down Syndrome Kosova, Kosovo.

Pauline L`vovna Zhiyanova (Russia) – Special Education Teacher, Downside Up, Russia.

4 organisations receive awards for outstanding professional activities:

Ikatan Sindroma Down Indonesia (ISDI) (Indonesia) – Down syndrome support and advocacy group.

Yaldei Tismonet Down (YATED) (Israel) – Down syndrome parent support organisation.

Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (Nigeria) – Centre for children and adults with Down syndrome.

Robert Owen Communities (UK) – Charity supporting over 350 adults with learning disabilities.

2 individuals receive awards for outstanding volunteer activities:

Agnieszka and Zofia Aleksandra Tucholska (Poland) – Young sisters with volunteering experience assisting people with Down syndrome and other learning disabilities.

1 individual receives an award for an outstanding contribution to raising awareness of Down syndrome:

Casper Lja (Canada) – 23 year old man who cycled 7,444 kilometres across Canada to raise awareness and money for Down syndrome advocacy.

Scientific Awards

1 individual receives an award for outstanding contribution as a medical professional in the field of Down syndrome:

Dr S Suresh (India) – Co-Founder and Chief Medical Director, MediScan Systems, Chennai, India.

President’s Special Recognition Award

2 individuals receive special awards for lifetime achievement in Down syndrome advocacy:

Penny Robertson OAM (Australia) – Pioneer of Down syndrome advocacy in Australia, Founder of Australian International School, Indonesia and Co-Founder of Down Syndrome International.

Dr Balbir Singh PBM (Singapore) – Founding Chairman of Down Syndrome Association Singapore, pioneer of World Down Syndrome Day programme and Social Service and Disability sector advocate.

All recipients are invited to a formal presentation of World Down Syndrome Day Awards for the years 2010-2012 taking place at the 11th World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) in Cape Town, South Africa from 15-17 August 2012.

-END-

For further information on the recipients of the 2011 World Down Syndrome Day Awards or to learn more about World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), please visit the DSi website www.ds-int.org or the WDSD website www.worlddownsyndromeday.org. For further information on the WDSC please visit the website www.wdsc2012.org.za.

–
AHAOMA KANU
MEDIA AND PUBLICITY COORDINATOR
DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION NIGERIA
43, ADEGOKE STREET
OFF MASHA ROAD, SURULERE
LAGOS STATE
NIGERIA
Email: a.kanu@dsanigeria.org
Website: www.dsanigeria.org
Tel:: +234-80-3748-7286

DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION NIGERIA (DSFN) AWARENESS WEEK SEMINAR

VENUE: GRANGE SCHOOL
HAROLD SHODIPO CRESCENT
IKEJA G.R.A LAGOS NIGERIA
THEME: “JUST ONE CHROMOSOME…GIVE ME A CHANCE”

SPEAKERS: DR. REUBEN ABATI
CHAIRMAN, EDITORIAL BOARD
THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPERS

DR. DAVID MULLIGAN
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT ADVISER
SMEDAN ABUJA

PROF. JOANNE UMOLU
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OPEN DOORS FOR SPECIAL LEARNERS
JOS NIGERIA

PENNY GREEN
DIRECTOR
DOWN’S HEART GROUP U.K

DATE: 5TH OCTOBER 2010

TIME: 10 AM PROMPT

ADMISSION: FREE

Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria Awareness Week 2010 begins 29th September – 10th October

We wish to formally invite your organization and request for your sponsorship/partnership of the Awareness Week-2010,” which commences from Wednesday 29th September through October 10th 2010.

The Awareness Week is part of a global event supported by all Down syndrome groups worldwide. We at Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), use this period to focus our efforts in Advocacy, Awareness and Fund raising.

The theme for this year’s programme is “Just one chromosome…Give me a chance.”

The key events of the week are…

The Charity Walk	An 8km charity walk to keep fit whilst raising funds and awareness ( around Surulere	8.30am – 10.30am : Saturday, October 2, 2010	From DSFN Resource Centre at 43 Adegoke Street, through Itire and the surrounding areas
Down Syndrome Seminar	An international seminar to discuss educational, medical and socio-economic issues of down Syndrome in Nigeria.	10.00am-1.00p.m: Tuesday, 5th October 2010	Grange School, Harold Shodipo Crescent, GRA Ikeja, Lagos
Fund raising Dinner & Awards	High profile dinner and awards evening  with up to 200 guests	6.30pm – 9.30pm Thursday, 7th October 2010	Golden Gate Restaurant, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi.
Family Fun-Fair & Exhibition	Family oriented – fun day with novelty charity 5–aside competition between corporate/group teams and ample children activities on offer	1.00pm – 5.30pm Sunday 10th October 2010	Union Bank Sports Complex 41, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos

Our aim is to raise as much funds as possible towards the target of N25m (Twenty-five million Naira), which would commence the development of a properly equipped educational establishment resource centre, provide transport and working capital. We also need to urgently raise N10m (Ten million Naira) for the next set of 8 remaining children and babies who require life saving heart and eye surgery in India.

Your specific support/sponsorship is required in the following areas…

* Sponsoring/Branding Tee Shirts and Fez caps for the charity walk on Saturday, October 2, 2010
* Branding the Seminar materials and venue scheduled for Tuesday, October 5, 2010
* Paying for several tables for the fund raising dinner and awards evening on Thursday, October 7, 2010 (a table of 10 costs N140,000 –individual tickets costs N15,000 each)
* Further sponsorship details are hereby attached

As this is the first year as a Foundation, partnering with an eminent corporate organization like yours, we are confident that this year’s edition will be the most successful ever.

Mrs Rose Mordi

National President.