Marten, who has Down syndrome, was only three years old when he started attending The Shepherd and Mother of Light Special Needs Center in Samalot, Upper Egypt.
When Marten first arrived at the SML Center, he was entirely non-verbal. Marten didn’t speak—not to his parents, not to his teacher, not even to himself in whispers. He didn’t respond when called. He needed help with almost everything: dressing, eating, using the bathroom. Most concerning of all, Marten didn’t know how to express his frustration. Sometimes, he would hit the other children, not out of cruelty, but from a place of confusion and silence.
His first year at the Center was quiet and stormy in its own way. The Taha Center is two rooms and a hallway filled with color, music, and hope. The teachers watched, waited, and gently guided. Marten’s teacher, Ms. Christen, never pushed too hard. She sang to him softly, placed picture cards in front of him, and gently praised him when he stacked two blocks or nodded in response to a question.
Slowly, small things began to change. Marten began to emerge. He started using words for “water” or “play.” The hitting ceased. A breakthrough came when he clearly said, “Help, please,” to Ms. Christen – a calm request replacing frustration. At home, his mother, Nadia, witnessed him dressing himself and using the bathroom with growing independence. He laughed with his sister and sought hugs from his mother.
Today, less than two years later, Marten greets friends by name at the Center, joins exercises, and follows instructions. He correctly pronounces “Dad,” “Mom,” and names of fruits, though some words are still developing. At the Center during the Easter celebration, Marten sang a short song. When he finished, the kids and teacher erupted in applause. Not because Marten had spoken, but because he had grown. He found his way out of the silence, step by step, word by word. Marten’s story with us is ongoing. C4NC is dedicated to nurturing his potential until he can confidently communicate and thrive. The Special Needs Centers are a beacon of hope for what dedicated support can achieve.
