In the bustling city of Baidoa, Somalia, the Baidoa Disability Primary School stood as a beacon of hope for children with disabilities, offering them a chance to access quality education. However, the school’s journey was not without its challenges. Faced with a lack of proper infrastructure, teaching resources, and trained staff, the school’s existence hung in the balance. That was until GREDO stepped in with the collaboration of CARE International and funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW). This powerful partnership set out to transform the lives of the students and the community they served.
Kaltuma Mohamednoor, the Chairperson of the School’s Community Education Committee (CEC), recounted the school’s history with deep gratitude. “This school was started in 2019 in a rented house, but we were not able to continue paying the rent. We contributed our own money and built three temporary classrooms, but they were not proper or safe for the children.”
The situation was dire, but GREDO’s intervention proved to be a game-changer. Through the ECW-funded project, the organization constructed three new classrooms, four disability-friendly latrines, and a child-friendly space – all designed to create an inclusive and nurturing environment for the students. But GREDO’s support went beyond just physical infrastructure. GREDO also provided essential teaching and learning materials, as well as specialised training for the teachers on sign language and inclusive teaching methods. This empowered the educators to better cater to the diverse needs of their students, ensuring that every child had the opportunity to thrive.
“Because of the lack of classrooms, latrines, water, and teaching materials, we were on the verge of closing this five-year-old disability school,” Kaltuma shared. “But when GREDO came in with this project, covering all our areas of priority, it really boosted the morale of the teachers, learners, and parents. Most importantly, it increased the enrolment and retention of learners.”
The impact of GREDO’s intervention was palpable. Families in the community, who had once hesitated to send their children with disabilities to school, now eagerly enrolled them, confident that their children would receive the support and care they needed. GREDO’s partnership with the Baidoa Disability Primary School, has been a true testament to the power of inclusive education. By addressing the critical needs of the school and empowering the community, this effort has transformed the lives of countless children, paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive future.