Lelah has a different name: Ela
When we saw Lelah in July 2008 she had just turned 15 years of age only a month before. It was heartwarming to see her again after almost 2 years. She immediately recognised us. We however, had to look twice! She changed hairstyles and she has grown heaps. She doesn’t look like a child anymore but like a teenager. What a girl! She now listens to another name: Ela. She got this name from people at the boarding school because they found the meaning of the name Lelah too negative. It means ‘without strength’. However,it is ‘strength’ that Ela shows at the school.
Ela lives at the boarding school for almost 3 years now, which is about 3-4 hours travelling with Public Transport from her hometown Jasinga. Ela travels home under guidance when she is having her school holidays. She then stays with her parents, brothers and sisters. In this way, she keeps in contact with her family. There are no facilities in Jasinga for Ela. It is not very nice she lives so far away from her family. But it is very good she learns so much at boarding school. She has learned to take personal care of herself independently and to help with household tasks. At school, she is stimulated to learn more complex tasks. The goal is to make Ela as independent possible. Ela will however, always stay dependent on the care and help of others. According to extensive research done, Ela has a very low intellectual capacity, she cannot speak properly and her coordination is strongly underdeveloped.
It was such a joy to see, hear (she makes all sorts of sounds) and feel Ela. She can’t get enough of being hugged. It is very good to know that SYJ pays for the boarding school so she in very good hands. It is there where she will have most opportunities. Unfortunately they can’t offer her any of this in Jasinga (yet).
