Mission Statement
The Pitanga Centre provides a ‘safe haven’ to help children with Special Educational Needs succeed in reaching their full potential.
We believe that all children have the right to equal opportunities to learn and to be given the chance to participate fully in their community (both learning and social environment). We encourage inclusive education for all children, based on fundamental human rights (as outlined in the UN Declaration for Human Rights) – which states that; all children, irrespective of their learning difficulty/disability or circumstances shall be valued equally. At the Pitanga Centre, we therefore set out to encourage and facilitate an entitlement to full education for all children. We also set out to offer children at the Centre a ‘safe haven’ and a stimulating learning environment where they can build on and acquire necessary skills and qualities that will help them shape the foundation upon which they build their success. We aim to give them the opportunity to challenge themselves as individuals in reaching their full potential. By providing a resource centre where parents can meet together, discuss and seek professional advice from professionals, borrow resources and materials, We aim to support parents/carers and provide a fun-loving place for all who use the centre.
Our Name
The Surinam Cherry, Brazilian Cherry, or Cayenne Cherry (Eugenia uniflora), otherwise known as Pitanga throughout Angola is an exotic fruit with fragrant white flowers that mature into reddish fruits. These fruits have a wide range in taste from sweet to sour; depending on the cultivar and level of ripeness. Soft on the outside and with hidden qualities as you peel away the skin, the Pitanga fruit epitomises the variety and special qualities of children with learning difficulties. They are soft, malleable, appear delicate and fragile on the outside but have so much potential to offer when nurtured to bring out their full learning potential.
Ready to find out more?
Please have a look through the services we offer, or feel free to contact us for more information or to discuss how we can best support you.
Find out what we do
Full time education
During the school day, Pitanga Centre Angola caters to the educational needs of children with special needs which prevent them from accessing mainstream schools. While providing a curriculum based education, we are also able to focus on individualised activities which aim to improve your child’s ability to cope and succeed despite their individual difficulties.
Tutoring
At the end of the main school day, we receive children from mainstreams schools from around Luanda who require a little extra tutoring and support with their education. We are also are able to offer English lessons to children and young adults wanting to learn or become fluent.
Resource Centre
The Pitanga centre is not just a centre for the education of children. Through providing seminars and workshops and inviting parents and carers to visit the centre for advice on working with children with special needs, we aim to educate the entire community on special educational needs and the importance of Inclusion.
In this vein, Pitanga Centre Nigeria was launched to continue this aim to support children and young adults of all abilities and promote an inclusive education in Nigeria