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Inclusive Education and Vocational Training in Uvira, DR Congo

For children and young people with and without disabilities: A project in Uvira for school and vocational inclusion by bezev and ADED.

A year ago, we launched our most extensive project abroad to date. Together with our project partner ADED, bezev is working to provide inclusive education in the Saint-Pierre primary school and to promote vocational training for children and young people with and without disabilities in the Kasenga district in Uvira (Congo). So what has happened since then?

  • 110 children and young people with and without disabilities have been identified and integrated into either the school or the training programme.
  • Accessibility in the primary school has been improved. Several small construction measures were undertaken to facilitate physical access to the school building for children with disabilities. For example, new, safe and barrier-free school toilets were built. In addition, 15 children with disabilities were provided with assistive devices (e.g. glasses) that they need to participate successfully in class.
  • The households of children and young people with and without disabilities were organised into self-help groups. There they have a "safe space", a support system. In various workshops, they receive information on the rights of people with disabilities and are trained economically. They exchange ideas, network and develop organisational as well as professional skills.
  • Capital has been provided to 110 households to start an income-generating activity that contributes to financial stabilisation.
  • Awareness about disabilities, rights for persons with disabilities, inclusion and inclusive education was raised among community leaders, education officials, Saint Pierre Primary School teaching staff, parents and the local population in Uvira. ADED estimates that about 40% of the population in the affected region is now sensitised on such issues.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated project implementation in a number of ways. The population is almost completely unvaccinated, and in addition faces a lack of testing capacity and a high number of unreported infections with COVID-19. ADED staff still have to work without full vaccination protection.
  • But it is also becoming increasingly clear that there is a long way to go to completely break down stigmas in society and provide all children and young people with an inclusive and good quality education.

Would you like to support our work in the Democratic Republic of Congo? We are happy about any donation:

IBAN: DE 62370205000008040704 

BIC: BFSWDE33XXX (Köln)

Stichwort: Spende DR Kongo

Meeting and exchange of key stakeholders on the inclusive concerns of the project

Meeting and exchange of key stakeholders on the inclusive concerns of the project

Background Information on the Project

The Partner Organisation:

Appui au Développement de l'Enfant en Detresse (ADED) is a development organisation founded in 2000 with the aim of accompanying disadvantaged and vulnerable children through holistic support within their families or in host families, without separating them from their living environment. The organisation follows the approach that families and communities are better placed than anyone else to identify the most important needs of their children and mobilise the necessary resources. 

Situation on the Ground:

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo often professes its commitment to inclusive education and yet lacks numerous resources to provide inclusive, quality education. With limited access to education, economic and social opportunities also become more difficult.

Social attitudes on the part of parents, school leaders and society are a strong driver for children with disabilities being limited in their access to education. Their abilities and contribution to society are often underestimated. Disability is associated with witchcraft according to traditional beliefs. Disabled family members are hidden at home out of shame. 
Added to this: Almost all mainstream schools lack adapted infrastructure, aids and school materials to enable children with disabilities to participate. With limited access to education, economic and social opportunities also become more difficult.

Uvira City has about 400,000 inhabitants (in comparison: Essen has about 590,000 inhabitants). Our project partner ADED determined that among them are 982 children and young people with disabilities aged 0-33. Only 5% of school-age children with disabilities attend school. 
This is also due to the fact that the mainstream schools in Uvira City are not yet prepared for inclusive education.

The Project:

On the one hand, the project deals with the Saint-Pierre primary school, which is to be promoted in inclusive, quality education. On the other hand, it includes vocational training for vulnerable children and young people with and without disabilities in the Kasenga neighbourhood in Uvira City. What does this look like in concrete terms?

  • Awareness of inclusive issues is being raised, especially among local community leaders, local education officials, teachers and parents.
  • The infrastructure of Saint-Pierre primary school is being made more inclusive.
  • The school will be equipped so that every child can learn effectively (e.g. Braille).
  • Teachers will be adequately trained and supported to adapt their teaching methods.
  • Opportunities for employment in income-generating activities for children and young people with and without disabilities who have not been able to experience schooling are strengthened and supported.
  • Promotion of self-help groups as a local support system for people with disabilities.

Objectives:

The project thus aims to contribute to the improvement of education, vocational training and integration of children and young people with and without disabilities in the Kasenga neighbourhood in the city of Uvira. Meaning:

The stigmatisation of children and youth with disabilities decreases and the 'social climate' for their rights and concerns becomes more comfortable.
The socio-economic living situation of children and young people with disabilities who are not enrolled in school and their families is improved. They participate in income-generating activities and can thus ensure their livelihood.
Inclusive education, both schooling and vocational training, is improved. Access is facilitated, the quality of teaching is better and the skills of teachers are strengthened.

For all this we need your support and are also happy about small amounts:

IBAN: DE 62370205000008040704 

BIC: BFSWDE33XXX (Köln)

Stichwort: Spende DR Kongo

Group picture of the participants of a meeting on inclusive education at St. Pierre Primary School

Group picture of the participants of a meeting on inclusive education at St. Pierre Primary School

Youths with and without disabilities during mechanics training

Youths with and without disabilities during mechanics training

Two men with disabilities work on making baskets. An example of income-generating activities.

Two men with disabilities work on making baskets. An example of income-generating activities.

On the left you can see the old, run-down school toilets. On the right, you can see part of the new, barrier-free school toilets.

On the left you can see the old, run-down school toilets. On the right, you can see part of the new, barrier-free school toilets.