About Open Friends
We are a Center for children with special needs, focusing on supporting the care of children of ages 3 to 17 years and young adults up to 21 years with developmental, behavioral and emotional challenges that are brought about by disorders such as autism, childhood depression, bipolar, Attention Deficit Disorder/ Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and learning difficulties.
Open Friends is a place of acceptance where children with the above challenges come to for support, received as they are, and given an experience of Love without conditions. We believe every child can be nurtured holistically in character, growth and development to their full God intended potential.
Purpose
…but that the works of God should be revealed. John 9:3
Vision
A society where every child with special needs attains their full potential through the love of Christ.
Mission
To empower families to practically spread the love of Christ to children with special needs in their care.
Our Values
Charity: With generosity and kindness, we go out of our way to deliver on our purpose and mandate.
Respect: We honor every individual and we treat them humanely while acknowledging their needs.
Optimism: Every individual has a story, therefore we look and work towards the best outcomes for our beneficiaries and stakeholders.
Professionalism: We seek out and practice the highest standards that deliver the best results to all our stakeholders.
Stewardship: With clear intentions and outcomes, we serve with diligence and clear minds daily, to create memorable stories.
Our Focus
Our focus is on supporting the care of children ages 3 to 17 and young adults up to 21 years with developmental behavioral and emotional challenges that are brought about by disorders such as autism, childhood depression, biplor, Attention Deficite Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and learning difficulties.
Open Friends is established on the need to strengthen the inclusion program in Uganda; reducing the cost of individual care in the areas of specialised personnel and amenities for learning and play.
We are committed to bridging the gap by facilitating holistic care and development for children with special needs. We embrace partnerships so that our vision can be realized.
Theory of Change
We envision the lifetime care of children with special needs, gradually improving and outgrowing the status quo through the love and care of those around them.
The center targets to support children from the age of 3 to 17; and young adults up to 21 years. Beyond this age they are expected to have improved in self – help and independent living skills, becoming more independent and self-sustaining.
Open Friends employs a triangulation of three approaches to handling children with special needs, namely; physical, mental and spiritual.
We recognize that ther is no general and unique approach to handling children with special needs, and also understand that the phenomena evolve depending on the immediate environment the children live in.
We strongly attach the desired transformation to be the sole authority of God the creator, whose acts of mercy serve to glorify His name through His magnificent works upon His creation.
We give the physical care, emotional and spiritual environment that depicts the love of Christ; driven by a strong belief that lives of children will be transformed through a logical process of acceptance, right care and healing.
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