UNDP Rwanda, in partnership with the National Council of Persons with Disabilities, recently visited the Children in Education, Culture, Health and Environment (CECHE) Program, a disability-inclusive school that is working to which is giving hope to families of kids with disabilities in Bugesera.

The program started a school promoting the rights of children with disabilities by providing locally-made assistive devices. These include chairs made from card box material, walking equipment to assist the children with physiotherapy, and much more. The machines assist the children in walking, self-care, and self-feed. All the assistive devices are made locally and are coated to be waterproof so that they can stand all weather conditions.

"I wish to commend CECHE Foundation for such an innovative approach to solving challenges faced by children with disabilities and their parents."- Varsha Redkar-Palepu, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Rwanda.

In line with the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities theme, "Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development," we are excited to promote homegrown solutions that will reduce stigma among Persons with Disabilities and encourage disability inclusion without leaving anyone behind."

CECHE programme seeks to identify and remedy aspects of society that make education inaccessible for persons with disabilities and address issues around their inclusion in education.

Empowering disability-inclusive schools is a human development approach that aims to reduce barriers to educational access and promote the rights of people with disabilities in education.

"We work towards creating an inclusive education environment so that children with disabilities can attend school and develop their full potential. This will enable them to be active citizens of their communities, contribute to nation building and make their country proud."- Name, CECHE Director.

"After graduation, we decided to go back to the community to serve children with disabilities, but also to assist their parents in leading a more sustainable life. All this was inspired by a centre of Children with disabilities I worked for after graduation."

About 15% of the world's population have a disability of one form or another. 80% of these are in developing countries. In Rwanda alone, persons with disabilities represent about 5% of the population and face challenges in accessing services, opportunities, and resources. For example, only 68% of primary-age children with disabilities are in school, far lower than 89% for those without disabilities.

Every child, including those with disabilities, deserves a quality education. However, most schools and communities do not provide what is required to support these children's access to mainstream schools. The result? Children with disabilities are excluded from school. CECHE is doing a commendable job for the community of Bugesera because it has given much hope to parents of children with disabilities.

UNDP Rwanda supported the CECHE program by giving sewing and tailoring machines and an electric device that helps to increase production. The materials will not only help the parents of children with disabilities to improve their socio-economic life. Still, they will also create more bonding time between the parents and their children.

"It was hard to afford my basic needs, including my child's school fees and rent. It was also hard to manage my child, but the materials donated to us by UNDP will improve my state and help me look after my child properly while at it."- Marie Jeanne, a Parent, and beneficiary.

Another parent, Joseline, said that not only will she be able to afford needs such as milk, soap, and health insurance, but she could also now afford to take her child to work to better care for them.

UNDP Rwanda is a leading development organization delivering results for people to build lasting peace and prosperity. Our work helps people realize their potential, create opportunities and build resilient communities to promote equality and human rights.

The blog is part of UNDP Rwanda's tribute to the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and its dedication to its work towards disability inclusion.