Special celebration for unique group

23 March 2016, 12:00AM

SENESE marked a very special occasion on Monday.

On 21 March 2016, Samoa joined the world to celebrate the lives of people with Down Syndrome.

In Samoa, SENESE and its partners celebrated this special day using play and art, and painting activities around the theme, my friends and my community.

Reverend Amosa Reupena, of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S) at Vaimoso conducted a service to bless the activities. The Samoa Tourism Authority Fale was the home of these activities bringing together children with down syndrome, their families and friends to play and have fun together.

The activities were organised by SENESE and Special Olympics Samoa.

Helen Seumanutafa, a parent of a child with Down syndrome, delivered a powerful and empowering testimony on her experience.

Down Syndrome is a condition caused by having three copies of the 21st chromosome, resulting in developmental changes and in some instances delays in children, both physically and intellectually. 

On this day, people with down syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world organize and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and advocating for their rights, inclusion and well being. 

The activity is also to help remove the fear and reluctance of children without Down Syndrome to play and interact together with children with down syndrome.

23 March 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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