Rose Hope Foundation Unveils Autism School, Free Skills Programmes, Elderly Care in Ilorin

 Rose Hope Foundation Unveils Autism School, Free Skills Programmes, Elderly Care in Ilorin

By Idris Alooma 

Rose Hope Foundation has unveiled an expanded social intervention agenda in Ilorin, Kwara State, with the launch of Cadeau Spectrum Academy and a free vocational training programme aimed at supporting persons with autism, people with special needs, and the elderly across Nigeria. 

Speaking during a press briefing at Agba Dam Road, Ilorin, Executive Director Pastor  Rose Afolabi said the initiative was born out of a strong commitment to inclusion and dignity for vulnerable groups in society. She described Rose Hope Foundation as a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives through care, education, and advocacy, with a focus on individuals with special needs and the elderly who are often underserved and overlooked. Established in April 2024, the foundation runs four core programmes: an Autism Academy, an elderly care and assisted living home, free vocational training, and research and community engagement initiatives. 

  Pastor Afolabi explained that Cadeau Spectrum Academy was created with the clear philosophy that children with autism should not be marginalized but nurtured, noting that the word ‘Cadeau’ means gift and that every child, including those with autism, is a gift to be treasured rather than a burden to be hidden. She emphasized that each child carries unique strengths and possibilities that must be developed, which is why the academy provides individualized learning supported by speech and language therapy, occupational and sensory integration therapy, behavioral support, and creative learning through art and technology. The academy’s classrooms, therapy rooms, and sensory spaces are purpose-built to offer a calm and structured environment where children on the autism spectrum can thrive, and it also operates a boarding facility to ensure consistency in care and intervention, which the foundation considers critical to child development outcomes. 

On elderly care, Afolabi said the foundation is addressing growing concerns of neglect, loneliness, and health challenges among older persons, stressing that in every society elders are custodians of wisdom, yet many now face isolation. At Rose Hope Foundation, she said, the belief is that growing old should never mean being forgotten, and as such the foundation’s retirement home offers assisted living, healthcare access, social engagement, and emotional support. Caring for elders, she added, is not charity but a responsibility rooted in love. The foundation also announced the upcoming rollout of a free vocational training programme in tailoring, hairdressing, and barbing, targeting persons with special needs and other interested individuals, with application forms to be released soon. The programme is designed to equip participants with practical skills that promote independence and self-reliance. 

 Pastor Afolabi further highlighted the role of research and community engagement in shaping the foundation’s interventions, including advocacy visits to government institutions and collaboration with stakeholders. She confirmed that Cadeau Spectrum Academy has received government approval, following preliminary engagements with relevant authorities in 2025 to ensure compliance and partnership. On expansion, she revealed that the academy model is being replicated beyond Kwara State, with a branch already established in Epe, Lagos State, describing the effort as more than a school but a movement of hope, inclusion, and opportunity aimed at ensuring no child with autism is left behind regardless of location. She commended the Kwara State Government and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for supporting inclusive education initiatives, particularly the Kwara State School for Special Needs in Ilorin, while calling for increased investment in special education, training, and infrastructure across all levels. 

She  also acknowledged media organisations, partners, friends, and family members for supporting the foundation’s vision, describing their contributions as instrumental in bringing the mission to life. To parents of children with special needs, she offered reassurance that there is hope and that their children are not defined by diagnosis, affirming that Cadeau Spectrum Academy is committed to walking the journey with them. The Rose Hope Foundation reiterated its call for partnerships with government agencies, private organisations, and philanthropists to expand access to inclusive education and care services nationwide.