Every school said no

The ball moves fast. So do the children. There's shouting and laughing as a wild game of cricket plays out. One boy is watching. He wants to join, but he can't.

Sohail, 15, sits on the small, red tricycle he uses to get around. He pedals with his hands. Born with a disability, he's excluded from far more than the games his friends play. 

Sohail's family knew he wanted to go to school. They knew he needed an education. So, they went from school to school to enrol him. "We tried our best," explains Misbah, Sohail's older brother. 

We approached many schools, but all of them refused to admit him due to his disability."

It shook the whole family. "We felt deeply saddened because, without an education, his future would be even more difficult."

Sohail had to stay at home

Instead of going to school, Sohail stayed at home. Going anywhere was challenging. His family couldn't afford a wheelchair. "The challenges faced by Sohail are the same challenges faced by many children with disabilities across Pakistan," explains his big brother. "On the one hand, education is extremely important for them. On the other hand, accessing it is incredibly difficult."

Too many children with disabilities in Pakistan are socially isolated and excluded from education. It's not fair. It's not right. With your support, VSO is opening doors for children who might otherwise never enter a classroom. 

VSO volunteers go from house to house

VSO volunteers like Khadija are sparking change. She is part of a group that went from house to house to find children, who aren't attending school.

Sohail was invited to attend a VSO learning centre, where he could catch up on the learning he missed. VSO also helped make sure he could attend.

Since I can't walk, VSO gave me a wheelchair. I was so happy! Before the wheelchair, everything was very difficult for me, but now it's much easier!"

Sohail can now work towards his dream

Sohail loved the learning centre from day one. “I met my teacher and friends. They gave me books and began teaching me. I enjoyed it a lot.” He also made rapid progress. Once he’d caught up on his learning and the foundations were in place, he was able to transfer to a government school, where he is continuing to thrive.

Sohail has set his sights on a career in medicine, “I want to become a doctor and help all people. That is my passion.”

No child should be denied an education

Disability is one of the greatest barriers to education around the world. Volunteers like Khadija are working to end discrimination and stigma, but your support is needed until no one is alone, no voice goes unheard and no dream is out of reach.

"I love teaching,” says VSO volunteer, Khadija. Every day, she gets up early. Classes start at 8am and there are big smiles on the children’s faces, and also on Khadija’s. She puts all her energies into her classes, but her commitment to education goes further still.

Khadija is an Afghan refugee. She became a VSO volunteer to spark change in her community, where many children have little hope of an education. If she sees children working on the streets when they should be in school, she tells them the door to the VSO learning centre is open. “I say, ‘Don’t worry. VSO will provide everything you need: books, pencils, erasers, sharpeners and support.’

Khadija will always remember meeting Sohail

One day, she visited Sohail’s home. His mother explained that every school had turned him away. “I felt truly sad. Children like Sohail have the right to an education and deserve a place in society, just like anyone else.”

Real change starts with people who choose to act

At VSO learning centres, children can catch up. Khadija and other volunteers are trained to deliver fun lessons that engage the whole class. Once children can read, write and count, VSO volunteers help them enrol in local schools.

“I feel very proud when children move into mainstream schools after learning at my centre,” says Khadija. “I see them happily and confidently studying with other children.” VSO volunteers continue to monitor their progress. 

For Sohail, life has changed. He gets up every day and goes to school like any other child. He gets around independently in his wheelchair. He has friends. As he plays, learns and dreams, his community is changing around him. He now has a brighter future but this isn't the case for many other children with disabilities who are waiting for the same chance.

Will you help open doors to education for even more children and spark lasting change?