“I’m really learning things now”
Sabir has cerebral palsy and attends a special school partnered by Humanity and Inclusion in Gaza, in the Palestinian Territories.
Sabir at his school partnered by HI | ©Oriane van den Broeck / HI
HI has teamed up with a school in Gaza to promote the inclusive and appropriate education of children with disabilities. Sabir is one of the project’s beneficiaries and attends school like any other child.
Education for children with disabilities
Sabir, 15, is one of the “elders” in his school and has witnessed a lot of changes since he arrived. His teachers have been given training, for example, and now use teaching aids adapted to children with disabilities.
“They used to give us toys and just let us get on with it. I often felt like I was passing the time. Now I’m learning. The teachers really teach us things,"
says Sabir.
Teaching programmes tailored to each child
Sabir follows an education programme tailored to his needs. His teachers and parents met to decide on his learning goals: "I was a bit frightened. They told me from the start that I needed to knuckle down and concentrate on my studies. But everything turned out alright in the end and I can read and write now," adds Sabir.
A sense of freedom
New classrooms have been opened at HI's partner schools, with reading areas, puppet corners, games and educational videos: "I feel free in this school. If I want to do something else - join the theatre group or play an instrument - the teacher lets me do it. That's what I like most about being here: I'm free to take part in whatever I want," says Sabir.
Restoring self-confidence
The summer camps organised by HI for students with and without disabilities help make inclusion fun for Sabir and his friends. "I got to meet other children. I had a great time! There were lots of things to do: storytelling, theatre, sports, and my favourite bit - singing and music,” says Sabir.
According to his teachers, everyone has fond memories of this first trip outside school.
