Patrick's story in his own words

“Hello, my name is Patrick. I live at home with my mother, three sisters and three brothers. My father died when I was young. At home, we do not have electricity and water is very far away. My mother does not work and there is no steady income. Life is difficult and we struggle to meet basic needs. Some days, my siblings trap rats so we can eat.

I have a disability in my leg that I have had since I was a baby. My leg is bent and very painful.

But I am happy because I get to go to school. My family is pleased that I am learning. My mother and siblings encourage me to continue and always tell me not to give up. They believe that one day, education may open a way for my family.

When I’m in too much pain, sometimes I have to stay at home and rest. I worry that other students are moving ahead while I’m being left behind. Even with the challenges I face, I try my best to attend school regularly because I do not want to stop learning.

My class is very big – there are around 80 students. It is noisy and crowded but I still enjoy being there. I like my teacher Denis very much. When I first started school, I struggled. If I said the wrong answer, the children in my class used to discourage me. But Denis has taught them that we are the same. Now, the children include me, we can work together on our classwork, and share materials. I feel more comfortable joining in during lessons and have made a few close friends. They are kind to me and help me when there are things I cannot do on my own. Knowing that my friends care makes me feel stronger and included.

Denis reminds me that I can become somebody in the future if I continue to learn. He motivates me to come to school and to perform well.

I love school because I believe education leads to a better life. When I see people who have studied and can support their families, I want that future too. 

My dream is to become a doctor or a teacher. I want to help people and to show that even with a disability, it is possible to succeed. Even when the pain in my leg is too much, I do not want to stop. Learning gives me hope.”
 

The sad realities children with disabilities face in Karamoja

Of an estimated 2.5 million children with disabilities in Uganda, up to 90% are not in school¹.

How shocking is that? I came across this statistic and was horrified. Could you imagine if most disabled children in the UK were out of school? As hard as Patrick’s story is to hear, he’s one of the lucky ones – he’s in school, opening doors to a brighter future.

Poverty compounded with harmful social norms are keeping children with disabilities locked out of the classroom, lost in the shadows and trapped in poverty. Thanks to you, we’re doing the best we can, but there are still children out there who need our help. Please keep sponsoring a volunteer like me – your support is so vital. Thank you for all that you do.
 

Sad social stigmas

This might be shocking for you to hear, but in some areas of Uganda, a child with disabilities is seen as a ‘curse.’ These children don’t have a voice. They are isolated, neglected and discriminated against. Parents tell their children to not play with disabled children.

Many children with disabilities are not enrolled in school at all. Families believe disabled children don’t have the ability to learn or think that education isn’t important for them. The consequences of beliefs like this can be so damaging.

I’ve seen this stigma in a lot of communities. It requires a lot of education and support to shift mindsets – they need to learn that disability is not an inability. In the schools I work in, I talk to all the children and tell them, “these children are the same as you. We sit with them in the same class and they are from our community. We need to work together and these children can still help.” I always encourage them to interact altogether and share their materials.

Even during group work, I always encourage teachers to put children with those who are not as abled as them, so that we encourage mixed learning and socialisation, breaking through the harmful stigma. Patrick’s teacher Denis tells me that children in his class socialise with everyone and they’re no longer excluding disabled children – they share and play altogether.

Inclusive education barriers

Karamoja has a shortage of schools, which means children are often forced to trek miles and hours just to reach the nearest classroom. Long distance is a key barrier to accessing education, especially for children with mobility constraints like Patrick. With no safe transport options in place, they often have no choice but to drop out of school. 

My fellow VSO volunteers and I are establishing ‘rescue centres’ within schools where children can live year-round if their home is too far or not a safe or supportive environment. Living at school ensures they are protected, cared for, and able to access consistent education and support. There’s a rescue centre in Patrick’s school, which I helped to establish. We’re speaking with Patrick’s family about whether a place there would be suitable for Patrick, given the pain in his leg and long journey to school. 

In addition, teachers aren’t well prepared to support children with disabilities in their classes. They are not trained in specialised teaching to include or teach disabled children, or even to deliver engaging and quality lessons. Before I started training Denis, he felt like he wasn’t capable of getting children to interact in lessons. Now, he’s confident getting his students to learn from one another, encouraging a more learner-centric and inclusive classroom.
 

Weebale nnyo – thank you very much

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your continual generosity and support. Without you, brilliant children like Patrick would go unheard and unseen. It’s not fair, but if we stand together, we can keep more children with disabilities in school so that they have the chance to realise their full potential. 

Thank you for helping us spark lasting change in Karamoja, even from thousands of miles away. Your loyalty is not taken for granted.

Alfred 

P.S. Remember, you can leave me a message at vsoint.org/sponsoravolunteer or email sponsoravolunteer@vsoint.org – I love finding out more about you! After my update, Ron from Devon took the time to tell me about his years working in education and as a psychological therapist. He understands that good education led him to his successful working life. I’m glad the work we’re doing here resonates with you.  

Every single message gets read and I try to respond to as many as I can when I have the time amongst busy days. Come say hello!  

*Pseudonym used to protect identity 

^{1 World Bank Factsheet 2020}