what does it take?????

How hard is it to OPEN your heart to someone, anyone? Have you ever asked yourself, "What can I do to make a change in this world" I have said this many times. We all have the POWER to shift this world to a place of unconditional LOVE, COMPASSION, JOY, and PEACE. These kids at this school ask for nothing, actually the Teacher and Founder of this school has never asked for anything. I saw and heard what this wonderful lady has done with her life, so unselfishly and I wanted to be a part of it. In any way I could. I started this charity to show these children that they are not forgotten and there are people that want to assist them reach their goals. Please assisit me in making a change. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You from the top of my heart to every inch of my soul. God Bless.

These children are like a gleaming star. Full of hope and love

These children are like a gleaming star. Full of hope and love

You can donate at any time

I send things all year round to this school and the kids. They are always in need of MANY things. To name a few, therapy toys, learning toy's, DIAPER'S, HAND BRACES, kid's shoes, and they can always use money to purchase the things that we cannot send. PLEASE keep us in mind for any donations and PLEASE tell your friends and get the word out. Thank you all and for any questions no matter how small contact me by phone or email. tinkerbelldust98@yahoo.com or
Tami Haws - 801-630-4857

The Open Doors School located in Jos, Nigeria

The Open Doors School located in Jos, Nigeria

FInd it in your heart


This school was founded by an amazing lady, Joanne Umulo, and many others that help her along the way. This school started for children with special needs, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and any other child that had mental or physical challenges. They have put so much into developing this school. She is truly a great women in helping these families get these kids to be at their full potential.
These kids and their families are in dire need of our help. I am trying my hardest to make this charity work, because I know the hard work it takes to take care of a child with special needs. It is so easy for us to cross the street to a store and purchase anything we need for our children. These kids in Nigeria do not have it so lucky. Many of these kids do not EVER get therapy, which is the most important thing for them to learn to function. Many of these kids that cannot walk or talk have NEVER had or been in a wheelchair, and some of the wheelchairs they do have are made out of plastic lawn chairs with wheels bolted to the bottom. This is no way for a child with scoliosis and other back issues to sit. They need new wheelchairs, therapy equipment, hand braces, feeding chairs, and much much, more. I cannot tell you how important it is for these children to have their therapy. If my son does not get his therapy for 2 weeks his body gets stiff and it is hard to move him. He needs to be positioned right and in the right equipment for his hands to be able to work correctly. If they do not get the therapy they need their little bodies become more and more stiff and many of them will become immobile.
There are parents there that are ashamed of these kids and keep them in the house at all times. Joanne has accomplished so much so this does not happen anymore. She has opened her doors to all the kids that she can. I want to do my part to help them reach their goals. It truly can take as little as five dollars to help. Please find it in your heart to help me reach out and give these children a better life.

A service project by Tami Haws
Hello my name is Tami Haws. I am married to my husband TJ Haws that works as a fire fighter here in Cheyenne WY. We have two children, Jaxson 12 yrs, and Maddox, 3. For Maddox' first birthday I wanted to do a service project instead of everyone buying him gifts. I looked high and low to find a charity that I thought we could help. I found the Open Doors Centre through my son. Our son Jaxson has Cerebral Palsy which many of the kids at this school have the same condition. Jaxson can not walk or talk and has very limited movement with his body and hands. Jaxson has therapy every week with a couple different therapists.
One of his therapists, MaryJo goes to Africa several times a year to the Open Doors school in Nigeria to work with the kids and to show the parents how to do the therapy. After talking with her and asking many questions I came to the conclusion that this was my answer. I want to help these kids any way I can . I tried to picture my son at this school and that was very hard for me. They have limited therapy toys and equipment to help them progress with their therapy. This school is in need of many things.
I decided for my son’s birthday we were going to have everybody bring a therapy gift for these kids instead of for Maddox. We were able to send the items we received with a family friend of Joanne Umolu, the founder of the school. I have kept in contact with Joanne and she is a wonderful lady. Her and the kids and this school have became very close to my heart.
This started out as a project to show my kids the lesson of charity and giving. The kids at this school have become so much more then that to me and my family. We will be helping Joanne and the kids anyway we can for the rest of my life. This is not a project for me anymore. This is a way of life for me and I am hoping that things will lead to other opportunities to help many more people.

My son Jaxson

My son Jaxson

To my Jax, I love you more then you will ever understand. It at times is so hard being a patient mom with the challenges we meet together. I try, my son. I have never felt as close to an angel that I feel when I am next to you. You bring such a warmth and loving spirit in our home, when we listen to it. I thank you for that. I feel at times your a part of me, or more like I am a part of you. I struggle with the thought of anyone else taking care of you, and I work on that everyday. I am so lucky to have you in my life. I learn from you everyday. Patients, love, understanding and to have faith in everything I do. You have given that to me. You and our family have made me the person I am today.I dedicate this charity to you. If it wasn't for you I wouldnt of had this chance to help these kids and the everyday struggles they share with you.

Joanne Umolu founder of the school

Joanne Umolu founder of the school
WHO is Prof. Joanne Umolu?
I am originally from America but I am married to a Nigerian and came to Nigeria in 1965. I am an experienced teacher and retired professor of special education, having taught at the University of Jos for 20 years.

What motivated you to start the school and when?

With some of the pupils during the National Special Olympic Games while I was still with the university, many parents used to come to the Department of Special Education seeking help for their children with disabilities. So when I left the University of Jos in September 1999, I decided to establish a Special Education Centre to cater for such families. We call the centre, Open Doors Special Education Centre, because our doors are open to children who are otherwise excluded from school.

What kind of people do you admit and is there age limit?

The Special Education Unit at Open Doors is for individuals with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, autism and cerebral palsy. There are close to 100 students in this Unit, ranging from two years to mid-30s.

Some of the children being taught to string beads. We prefer to enrol the very young children so we can give them a good start in life. We also have a Reading Clinic Unit where children and adults who have failed to learn to read and write can come. Our average monthly enrolment in this unit is 25 students. We have been very successful in bringing students who have been failing in school up to the standard where they can return successfully to their regular primary or secondary school.

What’s the curriculum like?

The curriculum in the Special Education Unit is geared toward realising the potential of each individual. This may involve speech therapy, physiotherapy and vocational training, depending on the needs and ability of each individual. Some of our students learn to read and write and do some practical arithmetic. However, our aim is not to prepare them for secondary school. Rather, our focus is always on leading as independent and useful life as possible.
In the Reading Clinic Unit, we use a literature-based approach which is particularly effective in helping individuals overcome reading failure. After a few months, students who could barely read or write are able to enjoy books and write their own stories.


Is there a sort of school fees?

Although the parents contribute to the running costs, we are completely dependent on the donations from kind-hearted individuals for all other expenses. Right now, we are seeking funds to build additional classrooms so we can admit children on our waiting list as well as funds to further develop our vocational training activities.

How do you recruit the staff and students?

Our teaching staff are all professionals in the field of special education, most of whom have graduated from the Department of Special Education, University of Jos.

How is the Centre impacting the lives of these children and the society at large?

The Centre has provided “open doors” for learning and opportunity for individuals who have been excluded from formal education and, in many cases, rejected by society. The students thrive in the positive environment provided by Open Doors, and the more able individuals eventually become productive members of society.


IN times past, parents of children with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, mental retardation, etc., saw them as a big burden and an embarrassment, and some of them were locked up in their homes with no interaction with the outside world. That is not the case anymore. Nobody bargains for the way or manner he would come into this world. A wise saying goes thus: If life throws lemons at you, then go ahead and make lemonade. This is exactly what is going on at Open Doors Special Education Centre.
Situated in the serene Giring environment in the equally serene and beautiful capital city of Jos, on the Plateau, the Centre provides quality educational and vocational training opportunities for Nigerian children and youth with learning handicaps.
It offers them the opportunity to develop literacy skills for those who failed to do so in the regular schools. Open Doors Special Education Centre is also dedicated to the expansion and upgrading of the quality of education for children with special educational needs.
The Centre was started by Prof. Joanne Umolu, who came to Nigeria in 1965 with her Nigerian husband. She started the Centre after retiring from the University of Jos where she was a lecturer in the Department of Special Education for about 20 years. Open Doors has three units - Special Education, Reading Clinic, and Vocational Training.


Love to have wheelchair races

Love to have wheelchair races

This pictures shows one child that would benefit by having hand braces. The hand braces help to straighten out his hands so he can have better range and more movement. Please consider donating money for the hand braces or the full $50 for a full set.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Party at the school (Sorry I posted them in the wrong order)

They had a lot of singing and dancing
An American favorite, Musical chairs


Saying hello to Father Christmas



Everyone cutting the Christmas cake

Father Christmas has a helper and he is getting ready to announce Father Christmas arriving
Here comes Father Christmas.


This is little David he loved Father Christmas so much.....


That he wouldn't leave him. I thought this was cute




Then they all had dancing, look at the little guy at the bottom. Very cool dude!