Klicks Foundation Ghana, a non-profit organization focused on helping parents raise children with Autism and other Intellectual Disabilities has held its annual Carols Service in Accra.

The Christmas event cum fund-raising drive that was held to mark the end of the year’s activities came off at the foundation’s offices at Dome in Accra on Saturday, December 11.

Co-Founder of Klicks Africa Foundation, Mary Amoah Kuffour said the purpose of the programme was to “thank God for how far he has brought us this year.”

She also was full of praise for the staff and experts that partner with the organization to educate children living with intellectual disabilities.

Mrs. Kuffour, however, lamented how a significant number of parents whose wards are enrolled with the foundation did not express any form of concern and support towards their development.

“I was a bit sad because most of the parents were not here. It is so difficult to run therapy for a young adult. The reason is that the parents are not supportive. Only about 30 percent call in to check how their children are doing,” she bemoaned.

“Some of the children are dropped off by their parents in the morning and that’s it. They’ll just come in the evening and pick them up,” she added.

That notwithstanding, she noted that the year had ended on a good note, despite numerous challenges that the organization had faced.

The Chairman of the event, Kwadwo Poku Owusu Peprah said the children had put in a lot of work to prepare for the event.

According to him, their efforts deserve to be applauded, considering how unimaginably difficult it sometimes is for them to grasp some of the things they are taught.

“I think that if I hadn’t been here, I would have missed a lot. To be honest, I must say Auntie Mary and the teachers have done a great job – it is very difficult. Some of us are parents so we know how it feels. You can count on us and let us know what we can do to support Klicks to get to where you need to be,” he said.

“We have all seen what the children have done. It is also a lesson to us that we give them the support they need so they are very useful to their country in the future.”

The children of the foundation enthusiastically performed a choreography and a Christmas carol they had spent time rehearsing to perfection.

They crowned off the list of performances by re-enacting the Bible story about the birth of Jesus. There was also an exhibition of striking artworks that were made by children of various ages who are being taught hands-on skills by Klicks Africa Foundation.

During the carols service, the music teacher at the institute, Mr Daniel Atsu MacCarthy has presented a citation of appreciation for his dedication and service to the needs of children enrolled in the foundation.

“I appreciate it and this shows that whatever I am doing for you is never in vain. I pray for the children that their being here will not be in vain,” he said in his acceptance speech.

At various points during the event, the Royal Priesthood Choir serenaded the audience with a series of beautiful hymns to set the Christmas spirit in motion.

Parents of the children living with autism and other disabilities graced the event alongside some supporters of the foundation.

About Klicks Africa Foundation

Klicks Africa Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 2016, in support of persons with disabilities (PWDs), especially children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), Down Syndrome, and other persons with intellectual disabilities.

The not-for-profit organisation runs an intensive Vocational Training and Resource Centre for youths with special needs to equip them with self-help skills, guidance in building up their social skills as well as emotional support for them and their families focused on living with Autism and other intellectual disabilities.

Klicks also produces teaching and learning materials from locally available resources to support inclusive education.