This year we are celebrating 30 years of AbleChildAfrica since we were first established as the Uganda Society for Disabled  Children in the UK, responding to the need of disabled  children who were injured as a result of the civil war in Uganda.  30 years later, we are proud to still be partnering with USDC and delivering innovative, life changing projects to some of Uganda's most marginalised children. 

 

This month, our Senior Programme Officer Katy Crowe met with Sammy, a young boy who is part of the DFID funded inclusive education programme with USDC and AbleChildAfrica.  Sammy was keen to share his story with our supporters.

 

Sammy is a young boy in P-7 class in Anai primary school in Lira District. Anai is one of the 9 project schools where AbleChildAfrica, in partnership with USDC, are implementing the innovative Inclusive Education using a Child to Child approach in Uganda. (Click here to read more on the project!)

 

Sammy has had a hearing impairment for the past 5 years - he has no hearing in his right ear but has some hearing in his left. He has often felt frustrated, as he finds it hard to hear in class or when in large groups and he has lost confidence since his hearing deteriorated. He speaks quietly and is reserved.

 

Mr Bosco is one of the Master Trainers trained in the Child to Child approach to inclusive education through the AbleChildAfrica project. Mr Bosco explained that when Sammy first joined his class at the start of the school year he thought he had a vision impairment, as he would often look away from the blackboard during class and seemed not to follow what was being taught. It soon became clear that Sammy was simply directing his ear towards the front of the class so he could hear what was being said.

 

Mr Bosco explained that since he received the training through the project he has learned how to support Sammy to feel more included in the classroom, he has 'buddyed' Sammy with his close friend in the classroom so that they can support one another and learn together. He has also moved Sammy closer to the front of the room and Mr Bosco ensures he speaks clearly and loudly so that Sammy can follow. Sammy smiles as he listens to Mr Bosco speak.

 

In June 2014 AbleChildAfrica ran an outreach clinic at Anai primary school so that disabled children from the local community in need of aids or appliances to ensure their access to primary education can receive the help they need. Sammy was assessed by an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist for the first time. Sammy has confirmed his first appointment with the doctor in July and we look forward to hearing updates on his progress in the coming weeks!

 

This project is kindly supported by UKAID.

 

 

Thank You!