| This project in Kitwe was started in 2005 by an Christian couple from England. When they returned home in 2008, the project was taken over by a local couple since when it has continued to develop positively. The project is focused on helping disabled children and involves identifying issues, establishing support groups, helping with schooling, feeding, and medical needs as well as transport costs. 80 mothers come to the 11 support groups although the team have contact with around 700 mothers. There is much prejudice surrounding physical disability in many parts of Africa and apart from the help being given specifically to the children’s needs, the help given to mothers through the support groups is invaluable. Additionally, most families of such children who come the school have been helped economically as they have free time to work. Part of the Wukwashi Wa Nzambi Ministry for children with disabilities is Wukwashi School which uses the general syllabus for early childhood education in Zambia and a special syllabus for children with special needs. The school is more of a transition school for children to move into other schools following an assessment at the end of each year. Assessment is based on level of independence (mobility, feeding, toilet using skills, etc) as well as academic achievement. The school has influenced the community in that people have come to realise that even children with disabilities can become educated and as they see other physical development, more children come out of isolation. Although the school cannot accommodate all the children it would like to, most of such children (over 700) are being helped in support groups, with medical support such as corrective surgeries and mobility aids. The leaders are doing an excellent job with limited resources. They receive financial support from the Bethany Children’s Trust, a UK charity, as well as from Shared Hope. Their financial needs are steadily growing as the number of children they reach increases.This project in Kitwe was started in 2005 by John and Becky Wright, a Christian couple from England. When they returned home in 2008, the project was taken over by Henry and Joyce Mutembu since when it has continued to develop positively. The project is focused on helping disabled children and involves identifying issues, establishing support groups, helping with schooling, feeding, and medical needs as well as transport costs. 80 mothers come to the 11 support groups although the team have contact with around 700 mothers. There is much prejudice surrounding physical disability in many parts of Africa and apart from the help being given specifically to the children’s needs, the help given to mothers through the support groups is invaluable. Additionally, most families of such children who come the school have been helped economically as they have free time to work. Part of the Wukwashi Wa Nzambi Ministry for children with disabilities is Wukwashi School which uses the general syllabus for early childhood education in Zambia and a special syllabus for children with special needs. The school is more of a transition school for children to move into other schools following an assessment at the end of each year. Assessment is based on level of independence (mobility, feeding, toilet using skills, etc) as well as academic achievement. The school has influenced the community in that people have come to realise that even children with disabilities can become educated and as they see other physical development, more children come out of isolation. Although the school cannot accommodate all the children it would like to, most of such children (over 700) are being helped in support groups, with medical support such as corrective surgeries and mobility aids. The Mutembus are doing an excellent job with limited resources. They receive financial support from the Bethany Children’s Trust, a UK charity, as well as from Shared Hope. Their financial needs are steadily growing as the number of children they reach increases. |
