No child deserves to be isolated and denied an education...

... but so many children like Sohail face barriers that stop them from going to school; from discrimination and stigma, to unaffordable assistive devices, to classrooms that aren’t accessible.

Sohail dreamed of going to school like any other child. Instead, at the of age 15, he was sitting at home watching other children play and learn together. Born with a physical disability, Sohail can’t walk. His family desperately tried to get him enrolled in the local schools, but they all refused to admit him due to his disability. Not able to afford a wheelchair, they were left heartbroken with little hope for Sohail to be able to build a better future.

Sadly, this is the reality for many children with disabilities in Pakistan and around the world. Instead of learning, they are excluded, isolated at home and trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Thanks to supporters like you, VSO volunteer Khadija found Sohail as she was going door to door in her community visiting families. She welcomed Sohail into her VSO learning centre, where he could begin to learn alongside other children. VSO provided Sohail with a wheelchair, giving him the freedom to move independently and take part in class. He quickly caught up, made friends and discovered a love of learning.

Today, Sohail is enrolled in a mainstream school and thriving. He now dreams of becoming a doctor - proof that when barriers are removed, children with disabilities can achieve anything.

No child should be left behind. And with your support, they don’t have to be. Together we can make sure no one is alone, no voice goes unheard and no dream is out of reach.

Donate now

*Name has been changed to protect his identity

How you can spark change by helping a child with disabilities get the life-changing education they deserve. 

• Provide assistive aids: You could help change a child’s life with a wheelchair, walking frame or other assistive devices.

• Equip children to learn: You could help make sure a child like Sohail has the essentials they need to learn, including pens, pencils and books.

• Train more volunteers: You could help train volunteers like Khadija to set up learning centres and open their doors to children who are missing out on an education.

Children like Sohail have the right to an education and deserve a place in society, just like anyone else. A disabled body doesn't mean a disabled mind”

VSO volunteer Khadija

Real change starts when people choose to act. 

Please donate today to ensure no child is alone and no dream is out of reach. Together we can spark lasting change.

Donate now

*Name has been changed to protect his identity.

We value every gift that you give, and will always put it straight to work as quickly as we can. 

We value every gift that you give, and will always put it straight to work as quickly as we can. In 2023-24, 85p of every £1 you gave went directly towards tackling poverty worldwide.15p was spent on the day-to-day running of the charity and raising the next £1 so that we can help even more people this year.