Introducing myself and my journal: HELP NEEDED TO ATTEND THE 2013 SON-RISE TRAINING PROGRAM IN MA, USA

About Me:
Dear friends and family,

My name is Diana Boateng, a facilitator at Awaawaa2. Awaawaa2 is a Non- Governmental Organization and non-profit foundations set up in the year 2004, to asses and give professional support to children with Speech and Language difficulties and their parents or guidance. The visions of Awaawaa2 are active participation, self-determination, independence and empowerment for all people with communication disabilities. The services we offer at Awaawaa2 are: therapy sessions, school outreach, classroom facilitation, promote awareness and understanding, training and education and referrals to other services.
My role as a facilitator is:
1. To help in mobilizing parents, schools and communities around Accra to be aware of this disability in their children.
2. To assist with the design and running of therapy programs for children at Awaawaa2.
3. To participate in the various therapy to make things better alongside other professionals in Awaawaa2.
I am using this letter to inform you that I have been awarded a scholarship of $ 2,000 US Dollars towards my tuition and lodging in the Autism Treatment Centre of America. (A letter from the centre is attached.)
The goal of my trip is to acquire functional strategies for developing communication (language) that will help children to interact, make request and express themselves whether they are currently verbal or non-verbal and also the opportunity to brainstorm and network with other professionals, parents and teachers facing similar challenges. As a facilitator, this training will make me effective in handling everyday challenges presented by tantrums, inflexibility with routine and socially difficult behaviour of children with communication disabilities and also serve as a resource for my organization and parent who cannot travel to Massachusetts to do the Son-Rise program.

My Passions:
Supporting children with special needs

My Challenges:
Financial difficulties

My Vision for the Future:
To open s centre for children with special needs

My Areas of Expertise:
Facilitating and supporting children with special needs