CHILDREN BORN IN THE WORLD’S POOREST PLACES DESERVE A CHANCE TO LIVE A FULL LIFE
This year SCIAF’s WEE BOX Lenten appeal focused on South Sudan, and a generation of children with disabilities who are locked out of an education and trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Frequent conflict has left behind a legacy of fear, displacement and despair, making it one of the world’s poorest and most fragile states. Children with disabilities were already the most vulnerable in society. Now, the coronavirus pandemic has deepened already existing levels of poverty, putting them at greater risk.
Many children with disabilities in South Sudan are not able to go to school or, later on, to work and earn a living. They may have no access to support services or hospitals for treatment. They may face stigma and exclusion.
Working hand in hand with a local partner in South Sudan, SCIAF is helping children with disabilities to unlock their potential and live life to the full, providing a lifeline to families and communities affected by extreme poverty.
Vaida was just 14-years old when she started to experience a numbness in her legs, and ended up paralysed. There were no services for children with disabilities in the village where Vaida and her family lived in South Sudan. There was no way of diagnosing what had caused her paralysis and no way of treating it. Thankfully, there was hope. Through their partner in South Sudan, they provided Vaida with the healthcare she urgently needed. Vaida can now walk on crutches and has a tricycle she rides around her village and uses to travel to school.
This year, donations to SCIAF’s WEE BOX, BIG CHANGE appeal will make double the difference. From 11th February till 12th May, all donations to the WEE BOX, BIG CHANGE appeal will be doubled by the UK government.
Funds matched by the UK government will help to adapt six schools so that pupils with disabilities can access mainstream education. Teachers will be trained so they understand the needs of children with disabilities and how to include them in their classes. The children will be supported by the provision of aids, such as wheelchairs, ramps, hearing aids and canes, as well as healthcare, so they can live more independently and actively participate in lessons, sports and other activities with their classmates. SCIAF will also work closely with the wider community to promote equality and inclusion and tackle discriminatory attitudes towards people living with disabilities.
With your help this Lent, families living in the poorest countries won’t lose their determination and courage. They won’t lose their hope. Help give more children like Vaida the chance to live a full life.
As always SCIAF, have produced Lenten WEE BOX resources where you can find classroom activities, prayer resources and fundraising ideas. You can access resources here Schools WEE BOX 2021 Resources (sciaf.org.uk)
www.sciaf.org.uk/weebox
