We believe that every child is filled with creativity and capability, no matter their disability. Opening Doors is dedicated and works specifically for this - educating and helping children that suffer from learning and physical disabilities discover their own potential and reducing the stigma placed upon them. Through loving care and professional training, we can empower these children and open doors to possibilities they never thought imaginable.
Plan of Action
Our Mission
As the name implies, Opening Doors is about new opportunities enabling people with special needs to gain control over the way they live and share in every day joys, challenges, and responsibilities. Because every child is different, we create a unique program tailored for their specific needs. Below are some the key skills and areas of focus we engage with our students across the board.
Bathing
Cooking
Self-Care
Self-Feeding
Social Interactions
Math
Writing
Reading
Arts & Crafts
Vocational Training
Every 3 months, each student is evaluated to monitor their progress and to set new benchmarks. The families of the students are also involved so that they can better understand their child's condition and so they can further foster their child's progression. Opening Doors places high value in the family unit, in whatever shape or form it takes, because when the teachings and skills that are introduced to the child are reinforced by loved ones, stronger bonds are created between the child and the family and the child is able to progress faster. The students return home 2 times per term, but we have an open door if there are any questions or if there is any need for assistance.
The mentally and physically impaired are one of the most marginalized and forgotten groups of people across the world. In Uganda, this group of people face not only exclusion, but also abuse for a condition that they have no control over. Seeing this reality and knowing the potential that the mentally and physically disabled still have, 2 native Ugandans decided to open a training center to help children and young adults with learning disabilities discover their own potential and to help remove stigma communities have towards people with these disabilities. Anne Abels and Lucy Mutebi founded Opening Doors Training Center in 2004 in Kampala, Uganda. Since the beginning, Opening Doors has used money raised from candles and other crafts made by staff and students at the facility and money from donations to pay for the resources and equipment needed. Opening Doors currently works with 25 children/young adults and their families. We hope to expand our facilities to be able to accommodate 50.
Our Team
The family unit is not just something that is a part of our Plan of Action, it is the foundation of our entire organization. Founded by 2 sisters, Opening Doors was birthed within a family and continues to be largely supported and ran by their families.
Founder Lucy Mutebi has been in the healthcare profession her entire life. She was trained as hospice and oncology nurse in the United Kingdom and continues to practice in the United States today. Lucy's love of her 3 sons and her patients is the same for the students at Opening Doors, often referring to them as "my kids". Lucy is a Director for Opening Doors, handling logistics, collecting resources, and other responsibilities related to the mission of Opening Doors remotely from the United States. Lucy's eldest sons, Nicholas (far left) and Cedric (middle), serve as Fundraiser coordinators and advocates for the organization. Her husband and long-time accountant, Joseph, serves as the Treasurer for the organization. Together, the Mutebi family connects international resources to Opening Doors to further its mission of serving the children of Uganda.
The Mutebi Family
As President and Founder of the organization, Anne has been with Opening Doors since the very beginning. Prior to starting Opening Doors, Anne worked as the Director and Founder of L'arche Uganda - a branch of L'arche International Communities creating homes and programs for children with learning disabilities. After leaving L'arche to take care of her sick parents, Anne continued to follow her passions for helping the disabled and opened Opening Doors. Now, Anne commits her time to managing the day to day running of Opening Doors with her retired husband Harry Abels.
The Abels Family
Our team at Opening Doors is also comprised of passionate, dedicated individuals who all contribute their expertise to create the training center we have today. The staff includes a Consultant Medical Doctor, a part time physiotherapist, a full time occupational therapist, and professional vocational trainers. Each staff member's role with the students is dependent on the child's specially crafted training plan.
Team
Anne Kiruta Abels
President & Founder
Lucy Mutebi
USA Director & Founder
Harry Abels
Secretary & Netherlands Fundraiser Coordinator
Cedric Mutebi
USA Secretary & Fundraiser Coordinator
Nicholas Mutebi
USA Fundraiser Coordinator
Shanelle Quizera
Great Britain Fundraiser Coodinator
Joseph Mutebi
Treasurer