Last autumn, LDS Charities was invited to meet with a school for children with multiple disabilities in eastern Slovakia.
The staff of teachers and social workers care for 220 students with special needs like Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, cognitive and other pervasive developmental disorders.
Many children suffer extreme emotional frustrations due to behavioral and psychological impairments. Some children don't speak, others can show signs of aggression, biting, hitting, and kicking each other as well as the teachers. Anxiety and outbursts are common which disrupts the learning environment.
They requested help in setting up a multi-sensory therapy room that can be used for children in crisis. This therapy room creates a relaxing setting and reduces agitation and anxiety in children in crisis. It is a method to calm them down and help them regain control without the use of drugs.
The majority of students come from families living in poverty, often dysfunctional, and offer nothing financially.
The teachers report they have multiple crisis episodes per day with the children, so a few of the staff have already become certified in this new method.
When a child is suffering a crisis or striking self or staff, the child is brought into the room by a certified teacher who utilizes the equipment to relax the child. Studies have shown this method highly effective using vibrations, bubbles, soothing music, and optic lights.
One rainy day we were visiting the old school and noticed rain leaking through the ceiling with water damage visible in several rooms and hallways. The director admitted the roof does need repair but the most important need for them was this therapy room to help children in crisis.
Once we advised them the project was approved we ordered the equipment immediately.
On our way out the building, we heard loud cries of excitement from inside the building. The staff members were beyond excited for the good news and spread the word among the staff.
The director invited us back for a celebration. We were entertained by the older children who sang and danced for us.
They had been practicing for months and were happy to present their talents to us.
They presented gifts that were made by the children at the facility including a corn husk manger set and handmade rug.
We are often asked why it is we come and volunteer and assist people we have never met. We simply share that everyone is a child of God, and we work together with LDS Charities to bless the poor and needy.
“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40.
Handmade is more than just products. It connects people with ideas and creativity.
This is how I pass some of my free time. These creations are original and given as gifts.
I am certainly impressed by all the hand made folk crafts and clothing in Slovakia. I was able to get my hands on a sewing machine and the ideas started flowing.
I discovered a fabric store and another that sells traditional ribbons and laces.
I wanted to make something homemade, so I started with two meters of blueprint fabric. Blueprint is a special technique of dyeing linen cloth, using a mixture of kaolin and Arabic and a cold dyeing solution. When exposed to oxygen in the air, the cloth changes to blue.
The original thought was to sew my granddaughters an apron. But when I looked around I saw so many inspiring examples of beautiful wearable folk art. These beautiful ladies are my daughters, who came to Slovakia for a visit in May.
You can't sew Slovak textiles without incorporating some traditional woven ribbon. It is sewn on every Slovak traditional folklore piece of clothing.
Textile art has simple design, including folk motifs with a culture message.
Handmade work is appreciated by people who know what it entails and who can rate the uniqueness of the product, because each piece is original.
We are often asked why it is we come and volunteer and assist people we have never met. We simply share that everyone is a child of God, and we work together with LDS Charities to bless the poor and needy. 
