Inclusive Education in Southwest Ethiopia is Changing Lives!

*“I have hope for the future because now, I am educated.”*

We met Ahmed Mohammed last year while visiting Saruma School. Like many students, Ahmed is very studious. But, unlike most students, Ahmed is 30 years old, married, and has three children. In addition, Ahmed has a severe visual impairment- he lost his vision in the 8th grade and dropped out of school because there were no resources for students with disabilities at the time. For years, Ahmed felt like a burden to his family and feared he would have to beg on the streets to support his family. This all changed when he heard about the Inclusive Education Program at Saruma and enrolled himself.

Ahmed re-started school two years ago, has learned to read and write in Braille, and is currently in the 10th grade. Despite taking him an hour to walk to school, he is happy and hopeful for his future. He dreams of becoming a teacher to support other students with disabilities and wants to be a role model for others in the community.

*Ahmed is using a slate and stylus for writing braille*

There are currently 483 students with disabilities enrolled across nine schools around Mudula, Keleta, Mazera, Buho, and surrounding villages. WEEMA established four inclusive government schools. Five local government schools were so moved by what they saw they decided to replicate the model on their own. Amazing!

Over the next three years, we will continue to support these inclusive schools and will add one more model school in Durame town. Our inclusive education project aims to create an equitable educational environment for all students through teacher training, educating the public, renovating resource rooms, and providing necessary medical and teaching equipment for students.