Hello, we are Lateefa and Daniel and we're fundraising for a 1:1 classroom support person for our 5 year old daughter Sula May who has Downs Syndrome. Having a 1:1 helper will make it possible for her to attend the educational setting that best suits her.

Sula May is a beautiful light that brightens many a day! She is incredibly creative, adventurous, curious and funny and makes friends with most people she meets. She's very keen to learn and has a fantastic memory. She loves drawing and painting, dancing, books, songs, friends and going on adventures.

After much deliberation we have decided to home educate Sula May. Observing Sula May in various group settings, we see that she thrives best in groups much smaller than in mainstream schools. We also live in an area with an established home education community that has many opportunities for people who learn differently and have additional needs, but to access this Sula May needs 1:1 support. Unfortunately governmental funding for special educational needs is only available in mainstream or special needs schools. We have visited a number of these schools, none of which felt like a good fit for her at the moment.

We are delighted that Sula May has been offered a place in a unique Montessori home educational support setting that runs 2 days a week. It is set on an idyllic small farm in West Sussex and teaches subjects including science, nature studies, art, drama, music, sports and growing food, using the Montessori method (which was originally developed for people with additional needs).

At the moment Sula May needs someone to be with her in group settings to help her navigate what might seem simple to a typical 5 year old. She needs things explained and slowed down for her to grasp fully, and she is always overjoyed when she learns and understands something new.

Please join us in supporting her educational journey and helping her grow to her fullest potential.

The most helpful way you can support Sula May would be if you set up the donate monthly option as we will need to pay the 1:1 helper their salary monthly (£117 per week @ £18 per hour). We are so grateful for any contribution however small, hopefully all together we can raise enough. Any funds raised over our target will be put towards other aspects of Sula May’s education, for example eventually we would love Sula May to be able to go to the setting for 2 days.

We will be sending termly updates with photos for those who would like to follow Sula May’s progress.

We are so grateful for our families, communities and good humans everywhere. It truly takes a community to raise a child and we deeply value your support.

Daniel, Lateefa and Sula May