(Extreme left) Priscah Munga, Head teacher Kizurini Special School in Kaloleni Sub County, Kilifi County poses for a photo with learners with various disabilities and their teachers during the intra-county special needs schools’ athletics competition on March 29, 2024. Photo by BNBR. Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya in collaboration with CBM Global supported Kizurini Special School to participate in the inter-school’s competition with sports jerseys, transport and lunch during the competition. This was part of the Youth First Kenya project that has been funded by Fondation d’Harcourt in Kilifi County. Priscah was appreciative of this kind of support as she affirms that encouraging learners with disabilities to participate in extra-curricular activities not only fosters a sense of inclusion but also helps address their various developmental needs. Priscah who has headed the school for the past 7 years notes the following:
Sports activities are good for physical development
Majority of the learners in my school have intellectual and physical disabilities, and cerebral palsy. Therefore, participating in the various sports activities under the special learner’s category helps in stimulating the physical development of these learners.
For instance, during games such as balloon bursting, the process of the learner inflating the balloons helps in strengthen various muscles in and around their mouth which helps in developing their speech as well as reducing drooling.
Games such as wheelchair racing enables the learners to strengthen their hand muscles as they push the wheelchairs. The same applies to sprint races as these help with strengthening their bones and muscles and also improves their agility.
Their mental wellbeing is also improved
From my observation, these games are important for these children because they help them exercise their bodies and, in the process, this helps improve their mental health and wellbeing. In addition, when these kids participate in these events where they are being cheered on by the spectators, it helps them feel a part of their community and this helps foster a feeling of inclusion.
It would be great if parents of these learners attended such events to enable them to see how their children are progressing unfortunately, many of them feel broken hearted about the fact that their children have disabilities therefore they seldom come.
On a positive note, we are seeing an increase in enrolment of children with disabilities in our school once community members see these learners participating in these events. There are many children with disabilities hidden at home in this locality but thanks to such events, many parents are encouraged to bring them to school.
It would be great if we had more support to engage in home-based outreach so that we can reach more families in the community as we know there are still very many children with disabilities at home who are missing out on a chance at education.
