Supporting Children with Disabilities in South Sudan

Despite the constitutional right to education for all citizens, only around 22% of children with disabilities attend school in South Sudan. Negative attitudes, a lack of assistive devices and travel distance remain significant barriers to education.

Olin, 14 years old, has a disability affecting the use of his left arm. He attends primary school in Eastern Equatoria State. Despite challenges, he persistently pursues education and takes pride in his regular attendance and high performance.

“I write using my right hand. I have always been taking the first position whenever we are given any test since I started school,” Olin says. His mother, the only parent living with him, has been supporting his education.

“My mother gets some little money to support my education by brewing local liquor. She has no proper job to get enough money to support us and my father is a soldier and he is far,” he says. Olin is one of five children. His mother, unable to support them all, sends just two of them to school.

As part of UNICEF’s Strengthening Community Resilience project, Windle Trust International delivered learners’ kits to Olin’s school. These supplies build students’ resilience and motivation for learning, and improve access. Olin was particularly grateful for the exercise books, which allow him to keep his notes for each subject separate.

“Thank you very much for providing us with the writing materials… I want to continue with my education if I can get support like this,” he said.

“I like school because education can change life. I have never missed a class even for a single day, unless I’m sick or sent back home for some school dues,” he adds. Olin is determined to become a teacher. “I want to become a teacher to support the community because there are not enough teachers.”

WTI is keen to see more children like Olin actively participating in education in South Sudan. We believe we can change attitudes and promote inclusive education in challenging circumstances.

Schoolchildren in South Sudan line up ready for class. WTI’s learner kits give students the tools they need for effective learning and motivate students to persist in their studies.