A program funded by Education Cannot Wait is helping refugee children with disabilities access inclusive, quality education in Uganda.
/PRNewswire/ –Like many children in the Rhino Camp refugee settlement in Uganda, Santina’s life is a story of survival; a story of overcoming barriers – attitudinal, environmental and institutional – and finding hope in the midst of hardship.
Santina, 13, draws a picture in the Rhino Refugee Settlement in Uganda. © HI
Thirteen-year-old Santina fled violence in South Sudan with her mother, five sisters and two brothers and sought refuge in Uganda. Life in the settlement is anything but easy, but for Santina the real struggle began at the age of six, when a serious illness severely affected her physical and cognitive development. This has placed countless obstacles in Santina’s path to learning, not least because of the poor accessibility of the settlement’s physical environment for people like Santina.
Santina’s mother remembers the incident that changed her daughter’s life. It all started with a high fever and paralysis on the left side of her body, which affected her ability to move. “My daughter couldn’t move outside the yard on her own. She couldn’t even help with daily tasks like cooking or sweeping,” says her mother.
Despite these obstacles, Santina never gave up her determination. Four years ago, she started teaching at a primary school two kilometers from her home. Today she continues her educational journey thanks to the support of an innovative program run by Humanity & Inclusion (HI)with funds from Education Cannot Wait (ECW)– the United Nations Global Fund for Education in Emergencies and Protracted Crises.
Through the ECW Emergency First Aid grant, HI provided essential support – including learning materials such as books, pens, crayons, puzzles and games – to enhance their learning experience and boost their confidence.
“I love writing and reading. I also like playing soccer with my friends at school,” says Santina. “I’m happy because my left hand was weak, but now I can use it.”
HI occupational and physical therapists worked closely with Santina, providing her with tailored support to improve her daily living skills. She learned to dress herself and use the toilet independently and improved her fine motor skills by practicing filling bottles by grasping them with both hands. Santina also engaged in activities such as doodling with crayons in a coloring book, which helped her strengthen her upper limbs and eye-hand coordination.
“I can move around the school without any problems,” says Santina.
The teachers at Santina’s school support her development and respond to her needs. They make sure she sits in the front row where she can see the board clearly, and they have provided her with exercise books and learning materials like pencil grips and a slanted board.
Uganda hosts the largest refugee population in sub-Saharan Africa. This creates enormous pressure in the delivery of essential services. Uganda is also vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as floods and landslides.
Despite the obstacles she faces, Santina dreams big. “I want to continue my education up to university level if I can. I want to be a pastor in my church,” says the thirteen-year-old.
Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience, love and the belief that no matter the obstacles, every child deserves the chance to thrive.
Since 2017, ECW has been working with partners to improve access to quality and inclusive education for at-risk children and youth from refugee and host communities. Holistic measures include mental health and psychosocial support, ensuring an inclusive learning environment for children with disabilities, promoting gender equality and supporting students, teachers and support staff.
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