Build an inclusive future for kids with disability

We are delighted to send you this report from the new Kyaninga Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre. Thanks to your generous donations, we completed the first phase of the therapy and rehabilitation units for the Centre of Excellence. We moved in at the end of August.

The new building has 4 multi-purpose therapy rooms and finance and admin offices. This is a larger space than our previous premises (442m²) and is already an improved working environment for all. This reaffirms our dedication to completing the centre's construction. The long-term plan will be to convert the finance and admin offices into additional therapy rooms when the admin and training block is completed.

Additionally, the inclusive model school has moved from their temporary facilities at Kyaninga Lodge to the old therapy centre, creating a much safer and more conducive environment for learning. They currently have 23 students with disability and additional learning needs and 26 typical learners.

Progress to date

Strategic fundraising efforts have guided our journey towards securing the necessary resources for the Centre of Excellence.

In 2020, we acquired 2.5 acres of land with the support of local donors who share our vision. Up until now, we have secured the following:

Site Plan: We've collaborated with the University of Applied Sciences Munich for the construction plans using their pro-bono professional services.

The soil we've excavated during site preparation has been repurposed for landscaping and brick manufacturing.

Our primary construction material is on-site-produced earth blocks. These blocks are cost-effective as they eliminate the need for plastering and are crafted from eco-friendly materials.

Connected the site with essential utilities (water and electricity).

Security: The land is now lined with trees, providing boundary demarcation.

Background

More than 10% of Uganda's children live with a disability, with limited access to rehabilitation and education. Only 9% of children with disabilities can attend primary school, and less than 1% complete secondary school due to the complex challenges of stigma, gender, poverty, inaccessibility and poor nutrition. Recent statistics show that 32% of people over 18 in the Western region are illiterate, limiting their health and economic prospects. There is a strong link between low educational levels, poor health, early pregnancy, poverty and disability.

Over the past nine years, Kyaninga Child Development Centre (KCDC) has developed a skilled team of rehabilitation therapists and special education teacher-trainers who have improved the quality of life and long-term potential of more than 6,500 children. KCDC is the only centre in the western region providing specialist services to children with disabilities, covering more than 1,000 km² and is recognised nationally as a centre of excellence concerning disability, rehabilitation and inclusive education. Because of this, we decided to construct our centre to advance quality health and education for children with disabilities in Uganda. 

Overall Aim

Enhance service delivery for children with disabilities by constructing a purpose-built Centre of Excellence to create a supportive community where, on one site, families can access the holistic services necessary for their children to thrive.

The Centre of Excellence will comprise:

1. Therapy and Rehabilitation – outpatient therapy, community outreach teams, nutrition and epilepsy clinics and economic empowerment programmes.
2. Inclusive Education Hub – offering a teacher training programme that equips educators in partner schools and colleges with inclusive teaching methods.
3. Inclusive Model School -  Building capacity by providing a training ground for teachers receiving in-service training.
4. Advocacy and Awareness – positively impacting the lives of children with disabilities, their families and communities via education, activism support, promotion and representation.
5. Training and conference centre – delivers workshops and professional development programmes for teachers, healthcare professionals, community leaders and other stakeholders.

KCDC's Holistic Interventions

To create a supportive community where, on one site, families can access the holistic services necessary for their children to thrive, we are constructing a purpose-built Centre which will encompass the Kyaninga Inclusive Education Hub & Model School, rehabilitation centre and training facilities. By integrating therapy, rehabilitation, and education under one roof, we can enrich the lives of 10,000 CWDs by 2028.

The facility will prioritise sustainable development that addresses current needs without endangering those of future generations. It will balance the natural environment, society, and economic considerations harmoniously. From the outset, sustainable design principles will seamlessly integrate into the centre's design process.

By nurturing physical and mental well-being through therapy, nutrition and parental support programmes and empowering caregivers economically, we cultivate an environment where growth potential is boundless, as the key change agents are the families and communities that amplify the impact of health and education of their children.

Nutrition, street business school, home and school visits, epilepsy clinics, outpatient clinics and awareness campaigns are all part of our community-based rehabilitation and therapy programmes. They provide a comprehensive picture of our all-encompassing strategy for assisting children with disabilities in receiving inclusive, high-quality education while fostering the connection between home, community and school. 

Next Steps

With the construction of the centre of excellence, we are optimistic about increasing our impact over the next five years with the following outcomes:

Anticipated outcomes

750 Additional teachers trained in engaging and inclusive strategies

10,000 children's development positively impacted

40% Increase in enrolment and retention of children with special educational needs in schools

70% Positive change and expectations towards CwDs

Please help us to achieve this by contributing to the building fund to finish the therapy centre and build the inclusive school. 

Links:

• Find out more about us here
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