FOR $10 HELP A VULNERABLE CHILD BACK TO SCHOOL

The indigenous and marginalized Ethnic groups are not clearly defined in Uganda and in this write up we refer to the Batwa ethnic group. These people continue to suffer from the historical background of living in the forests and surviving mainly on nature for food through hunting, gathering roots and fruits and honey among other survival mechanisms. They also continue to suffer disempowerment and discrimination on economic, social and cultural grounds. The Batwa minority group has self-identification as members of a distinct indigenous cultural group and recognition of this identity by others; Collective attachment to geographically distinct habitats or ancestral territories in the project area and to the natural resources in these habitats and territories;

Customary cultural, economic, social, or political institutions that are separate from those of the mainstream society or culture; or a distinct language or dialect, often different from the official language or languages of the country or region in which they reside.

It is noted that, although the Ugandan Constitution does not expressly recognize indigenous peoples it makes provision for addressing some of the negative effects arising from ethnic imbalances. The Constitution, in the section on National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, provides that every effort shall be made to integrate all peoples while at the same time recognizing the existence of, amongst others, their ethnic, religious and cultural diversity.  In this regard, the Constitution requires that everything necessary be done to promote a culture of co-operation, understanding, appreciation, tolerance and respect for each other’s customs, traditions and beliefs. The term “Marginalization” generally describes the overt actions or tendencies of human societies whereby those persons perceived as being without desirability or function are removed or excluded (i.e., are "marginalized") from the prevalent systems of protection and integration, so limiting their opportunities and means for survival.

The Batwa communities were not going to school because there were no deliberate efforts to build schools for them. In the last fifteen to twenty years some efforts have been made to have the children go to school but they face challenges of infrastructure, scholastic materials, Uniforms food and teachers. One of our social workers reported “ I have never seen three children from the same family writing in one exercise book in my entire life” We have supported the children with books and uniforms in addition to the healthcare through mobile clinics. A lot needs to be done and we continue to send our voice to our good friends to continue to support this initiative.

    We have been able to bring seven children back to school after dropping out as a result of epilepsy. These are five girls and two boys. Epilepsy is a medical condition which causes a sudden malfunction in the brain which in tum leading to seizure it is an illness just like any other disease and can be controlled by health workers. Children with epilepsy are increasing annually, as women give, the number of children with special needs increases. Epilepsy is one of the conditions among those that require special attention because of stigma. Children with epilepsy can have the same learning abilities like any other children, however their abilities to learn may differ (learners with epilepsy) depending on the presentation like frequency, the severity of signs and symptoms the society or school, the teachers’ attitude, parental factors and other factors.   Scientifically epilepsy is a condition where there is abnormal discharge of electrical energy in some brain cells, the discharge spreads to nearby cell and the results form abnormal discharge of brain cells. The existence of epilepsy has showed that learners with epilepsy do not differ from those without epilepsy in their teaming abilities since the disease does not happen every time or every day. This therefore brings in a question as to whether its epilepsy that affects their abilities to learn or its other factors which exist With or Without epilepsy. There is enough evidence from schools indicating that learning abilities of learners with epilepsy have some aggressive behavior which can be aroused by physical pain, anger, and increased irritability. The most common symptom of children with epilepsy is failing down immediately anywhere the child is at any time. This falling down normally comes as a result of seizure, which comes in different ways to different pupils depending on the type of disease, commonly many begin by shaking and the fall down but others do not fall down.

   Parents are making efforts to send children to school as a result of Universal primary education introduced by the government. There is still reluctance on the side of parents to send children with disabilities and other learning challenges. government has introduced a policy to educate children with special needs but this policy mainly benefits the blind, deaf and children with other known physical disabilities leaving out children with epilepsy. We have specifically targeted these children through regular home based follow up with medications and when they get stable, we take them back to school. Since reintroducing the seven children back to school none of them has gotten an epileptic attack while at school. We are continuing to follow them up as we identify more children from the communities.