NEWS & STORIES

220 Dads of Children with Intellectual Disabilities Participate in “Father’s Day” Training

220 Dads of Children with Intellectual Disabilities Participate in “Father’s Day” Training

Something special is happening here in Zambia and it is simply incredible to witness. Fathers of kids with special needs are changing from uninvolved and uninformed to caring and skilled advocates. 220 dads of children with intellectual disabilities and 520 overall participants were part of our “Father’s Day” Training at our Community Care Centers this month. These fathers are learning to better...

When a Mother Feels Like Giving Up, Where Does She Turn?

When a Mother Feels Like Giving Up, Where Does She Turn?

A mother walked into one of our Community Care Centers feeling defeated and worn out with the immense challenges involved in raising her child with Down syndrome. She even confided to one of our staff members that she was planning to make the heartbreaking decision to drop her 2 1/2 year old daughter off at an orphanage on the way home. Her daughter was failing to thrive, weighing only...

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At our Father’s Day Training this month, we had

At our Father’s Day Training this month, we had 226 fathers in attendance.

These fathers are learning to better understand their child’s condition, accept them, and strengthen their family even in the midst of a culture that often sees mothers as having sole responsibility to raise and look after the children.

We are hopeful for the future as we see more and more fathers participate in these training days.

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #disabilityinclusion #everychildmatters #specialneedsparent #inclusionmatters #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #africa #lusaka #zambia

Good nutrition is vital for any child to grow phys

Good nutrition is vital for any child to grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. Having an intellectual disability adds some additional challenges when it comes to nutrition.

Precious is 11 months old and has been attending our Ng’ombe Center. She is working on maintaining a healthy weight. Our social workers and trainers are working with Precious’ family to educate, support, and work towards nutrition goals together.

Together we are making a difference in the lives of children with intellectual disabilities like Precious. ❤️

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

William is definitely eyeing those toys and is rea

William is definitely eyeing those toys and is ready to play! 😉

We love creating welcoming spaces where children with intellectual disabilities and their families feel connected, supported, and cared for. ❤️

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

Today is World Down Syndrome Day and we are raisin

Today is World Down Syndrome Day and we are raising awareness and celebrating these incredible individuals in our community! 💙💛

Down syndrome is the most frequent chromosomal cause of mild to moderate intellectual disability, and it occurs in all ethnic and economic groups.

Comment 💙💛below and share this post to show your support and love for these amazing children and all of the joy that they bring!

#worlddownsyndromeday #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #disabilityinclusion #everychildmatters #specialneedsparent #inclusionmatters #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #africa #lusaka #zambia

One of the unique aspects of our Community Care Ce

One of the unique aspects of our Community Care Centers is that our parents and caregivers work side-by-side together with other families. We believe in the strength of a community working together to provide love and support to their children. 💪🏿❤️

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

Singing together is a fantastic way to build commu

Singing together is a fantastic way to build community. We can’t help but smile when we hear these sweet voices singing out to start the day at our Ng’ombe Center! 🎶

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

Bernadette is working on matching and sorting at o

Bernadette is working on matching and sorting at our Kabanana Center. This activity will help her learn the concept of same and different. It also will prepare her for literacy and numeracy skills, as well as problem solving. We love seeing Bernadette’s grandmother Nelly encouraging and supporting her as she works on these important skills. ❤️

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #disabilityinclusion #everychildmatters #specialneedsparent #inclusionmatters #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #africa #lusaka #zambia

Trainer Pamela is demonstrating the importance of

Trainer Pamela is demonstrating the importance of incorporating motivators when teaching. Motivators not only make learning fun, but also drives the children to learn more.

Working and learning side by side with other families builds community and shows parents and caregivers of children with disabilities that they are not alone. ❤️

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

Today on International Women’s Day, we celebrate

Today on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the amazing Women who are making a difference everyday for their children with intellectual disabilities. ❤️

#internationalwomensday #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #everychildmatters #lusaka #zambia #africa

This is Ruth and her mother Elizabeth. Ruth is 7 y

This is Ruth and her mother Elizabeth. Ruth is 7 years old and comes to our Ng’ombe Center with her mother. Ruth has made good progress since coming to our Center, especially in the area of communication. She is now able to request things that she wants using sounds and gestures. In this photo, she is working on sitting with support.

It’s obvious that Ruth knows you can have fun while working on important skills. Way to go Ruth!

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #disabilityinclusion #everychildmatters #specialneedsparent #inclusionmatters #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #africa #lusaka #zambia

Children with disabilities are often at greater ri

Children with disabilities are often at greater risk of malnutrition than other children. This is why education and support for parents is vital to help these children thrive.

This is Joann - his family attends our Kaunda Square Center. When he came to the Center, he was underweight and had much difficulty with swallowing liquids. Since then, he has improved in his abilities and can now drink mabisi (sour milk) well without spilling out of his mouth. Way to go Joann!

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

Did you know that children with disabilities often

Did you know that children with disabilities often have feeding difficulties, which can result in choking? The texture of the food and the feeding position are so important for the child’s safety.

Here are some photos of a recent feeding and swallowing training that we did with our team of social workers. They observed how it feels to be fed by another person, practiced positioning for safe feeding, and discussed different food textures. 🥘

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

This is Destiny from our Matero Center working on

This is Destiny from our Matero Center working on her fine motor skills as well as her visual memory and visual perception. She finds joy in taking puzzle pieces out of puzzles and playing with her friends at the Center. 🧩

When Destiny first came to our Center, she was barely able to take bowls apart or scribble. You can see the great progress she has made since then in this video. Way to go, Destiny!

We love creating spaces for children with intellectual disabilities to learn and grow in a safe and welcoming environment. ❤️

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #disabilityinclusion #everychildmatters #specialneedsparent #inclusionmatters #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #africa #lusaka #zambia

Snapshots from opening day 🙌🏿 🎉 What a b

Snapshots from opening day 🙌🏿 🎉

What a blessing and a joy to serve 65 new children with intellectual disabilities and their families at Kabanana! ❤️

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

✨It’s the little things that matter. ✨ When

✨It’s the little things that matter. ✨

When families come to a Community Care Center for the first time, it may be one of the first times they have brought their child with a disability into a public space. We want to make sure that they feel safe, comfortable, and supported as they make this brave step.

This is Lucy, one of our Social Workers, getting the windows sparkling clean before our new Center opened…one small part of creating a welcoming environment for these children and their families, where they can learn and grow together. ❤️

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

An empty room is full of possibilities 😉 Enjoy

An empty room is full of possibilities 😉

Enjoy this before and after of our Kabanana Center! Our entire staff team came together to clean and prepare the Center for opening - we have an amazing team! 💪🏿🙌🏿

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #disabilityinclusion #everychildmatters #specialneedsparent #inclusionmatters #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #africa #lusaka #zambia

Serving families at our Centers is such a joy! Our

Serving families at our Centers is such a joy! Our incredible staff team works hard everyday to help create a world for children with intellectual disabilities. 🎉

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

Jonathan is one of our trainers at our Ng’ombe C

Jonathan is one of our trainers at our Ng’ombe Center. Follow along with him to a home visit.

It is encouraging to see families using the tools they’ve learned at our Centers and working with their children at home to accomplish their learning goals. Way to go Tizibenji and family! 🙌🏿

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

Working and learning side by side with other famil

Working and learning side by side with other families builds community and shows parents and caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities that they are not alone. Here are some of the families at our Matero Center playing music and singing during circle time. There is hope and strength that comes from knowing you are not alone. ❤️

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #disabilityinclusion #everychildmatters #specialneedsparent #inclusionmatters #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #africa #lusaka #zambia

Scenes from opening day at our new Community Care

Scenes from opening day at our new Community Care Center in Kabanana | February 2023

📸: @ericraymondnelson

#disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocate #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

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