Transforming education for every child

Sightsavers is leading two key education projects in Kenya and Nigeria as part of the Inclusive Futures Disability Inclusive Development programme.

The SMILE project in Nigeria was developed and is implemented by 15 representatives from the government at federal, state and local levels, and five representatives from organisations of people with disabilities, with oversight by Sightsavers and additional support from the Institute of Development Studies.

The inclusive early childhood development and education project in Kenya brings together consortium partners including Humanity and Inclusion, Sense International, the Institute of Development Studies and Sightsavers.

We also work with national and county ministries of education, local and national organisations of people with disabilities, and government education agencies.

“It was a difficult road getting here”

Hajara tries hard to stay polite and focused while her father meets the head teacher of her school, but gradually the boredom overtakes her and she puts her head down on the desk. Spotting this, the teacher smiles and pats her on the head. He asks about her interests outside school and she’s suddenly more engaged; while her father talks about how she enjoys playing with dolls and pretending to cook, she makes the teacher laugh by interjecting: “I can also babysit!”

Hajara is one of the children who has benefited from the SMILE project through the Child Functioning Module, a questionnaire that helps schools to identify students who may have functional difficulties that could affect their learning. A parents’ guide also provides information on support networks and practical tips so they can support their child.

Hajara’s father shares how proud he is of his daughter. “She has so much sympathy and loves helping others. We don’t treat her any differently than her siblings. [At school] the interaction with other children was not smooth in the beginning because they were always making her cry, but it’s getting better. At home, the children are trying to help her instead of taunting her. It was a difficult road, but we got here.”

“The module has helped a lot”

Zachariah has been a teacher for 13 years. He has received inclusive education training and his school was chosen to be part of the SMILE project.

“Previously, parents of children with disabilities felt the children had no hope for the future and because of that, they did not bother enrolling them in school. But this programme has helped create awareness to the parents and they are beginning to see the importance of enrolling their children.

“We have received a lot of training on how to teach children with disabilities. There are some children that find it difficult to understand; we have to make time for them. This programme has made us understand that we need to be patient.

“Initially, the children’s peers were looking down on them and bullying them. We have been able to help them understand that children with disabilities are also as knowledgeable as they are. From then, they became more accommodating and now interact freely with them.

“Use of the Child Functioning Module is confidential and consent must be sought from the parents. You ask about the challenges the child is facing at home. As a teacher, the module has helped a lot. When I see a child, I now know what questions to ask and how to handle the child.

“My hope for these children with disabilities is to one day see them becoming governors, chairmen and presidents in this country.”

Watch the video below to learn more about the SMILE project.

“Her progress has brought a lot of happiness”

Absalom has five children: Irene, his youngest, has a speech impairment and has difficulty remembering things. She is often excluded by other children who do not see her as being like them. When Absalom enrolled Irene in pre-school, the teacher explained that the inclusive education project would help to support her learning.

“There is a lot of improvement that I’ve seen in Irene that I [attribute to] the support and assistance that I’ve got. She can now mingle with the rest of the children, evenly and equally.

“Sightsavers took us, as parents of children who have disabilities, to a seminar. I learned a lot about what I can give my child and how I can manage her. The things I’ve learned have really helped me.

“There is a big change in Irene. Her progress has brought a lot of happiness to me. The society that I come from, and my village, saw Irene as a child who is disabled, who could not go anywhere, who could do nothing.

“Society now sees her as a very different person. I am now certain that she can learn, as I see her do the same things that other children do. Because of the programme, I am seeing her progressing well and she is giving me a lot of hope.”