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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Behind the scenes: We started beta testing of our

Behind the scenes: We started beta testing of our digital data collection system. We’ve been developing this system for over a year with a large team of highly-skilled volunteers. Here, Doreen is interviewing Raymond’s mom, Angela for lessons we teach parents. Doreen has a computer, donated by Intel, that we are using to collect these surveys on.

This new database system will allow us to monitor child progress and parent learning digitally. This is saving valuable time for our staff and parents, compared to when we used paper records. This way we can spend less time on paperwork and more time focused on equipping and empowering parents as they learn how to care for their child with an intellectual disability.

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

This is Joy from Ng’ombe. Jonathan, one of our C

This is Joy from Ng’ombe. Jonathan, one of our Community Care Center trainers, is coaching Joy’s mom on how to instruct capital vs lowercase letters by calling them “big, ikulu” or “small, ingono.” Then together, they teach Joy and have Joy show her mom what she’s learned. Great literacy instruction, phonics, and print awareness. Using these letter block manipulatives also adds a tactile element to the activity. And just look at that confidence - way to go Joy!

It is a privilege to empower children with disabilities and their parents to learn and grow together ❤️ Thank you for your generous support that makes this possible!

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

This past week we were excited to host our second

This past week we were excited to host our second Networking Lusaka meeting. 🙌🏿 We created this event for the purpose of connecting with other organizations and individuals working with adults and children with disabilities, so that we can encourage and support one another. We were blessed with great interactions between organizations, schools, and ministries. Looking forward to the next event! ⭐️

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

We love seeing the confidence that comes from lear

We love seeing the confidence that comes from learning how to help your child with a disability grow and thrive!

Ruth is 7 years old and has been coming to one of our Community Care Centers since February. She is growing and learning in her communication and motor skills by asking questions, pointing to pictures, and taking apart stacks of bowls and cups.

Thank you for your continued generosity, that is enabling children like Ruth to grow in their confidence and abilities!

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

Did you know that some of these parents and caregi

Did you know that some of these parents and caregivers walk for over an hour, carrying their children in order to attend our programs? Here are some of our families leaving to go home after a session at our Ng’ombe Community Care Center. Their dedication and faithfulness to their children’s growth and development is incredible to see!

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

Mothers in Zambia like Nora are often put into the

Mothers in Zambia like Nora are often put into the extremely difficult situation of becoming single parents when they have a child with a disability. Because of cultural stigmas, they may be abandoned by their families, left to raise their child alone.

These mothers then have to choose between working (often selling home-grown vegetables) and attending our Community Care Center programming. This is why we offer incentive packs to families who attend our CCC programs faithfully. We want every parent to be able to receive the support and education they need to care for their child with a disability.

Here is just one story of the impact this incentive pack is making:

“I’m Nora and my daughter is Esther and she’s 5 years old. She has cerebral palsy. Her neck was weak when I started [at Special Hope]. Right now, she’s able to control her neck. When I started here, she couldn’t raise her hand, but now she can. She is able to sit up with her legs crossed.

I’m very thankful to Special Hope. They have done a lot for my daughter. I’m a single parent. Because my daughter is disabled, he decided to go away and he’s married. So I’m just providing food for her alone, shelter, everything. But I’m really thankful for that amount. It’s really helping us. I’m able to buy diapers and washing soap. I’m very thankful for it.”

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

Families working together in community is an essen

Families working together in community is an essential part of how our Community Care Centers work. In addition to individualized goals and lessons, we also have space for large group activities.

Some of the benefits of these large group times include:
⭐️Strengthening of social and relationship skills
⭐️Allowing for children to learn through peer modeling
⭐️Reducing isolation

Amazing things happen when you know you are not alone. ❤️
#disability #disabilityawareness #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #specialeducationteacher #inclusionmatters #everychildmatters #africa #lusaka #zambia

Lastus is 4 years old and has been attending one o

Lastus is 4 years old and has been attending one of our Community Care Centers with his mom Winfridah. He is currently working on sitting with support.

Together we can help more and more children with intellectual disabilities like Lastus experience inclusion in their communities in Zambia.

Thank you for your generosity that makes this possible! ❤️

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

Emmanuel is 3 years old and just started attending

Emmanuel is 3 years old and just started attending one of our Community Care Centers in June of this year. During this session, he was especially excited to be held up in order to kick a ball. Before coming to Special Hope, many parents feel inadequate in their ability to play with their child who has a disability, so this is one area where Emmanuel and his mom, Sulami are learning and growing together. We love to see the absolute joy that comes from children with disabilities experiencing play like any other child.

Thank you for your support, that makes moments like these possible!

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

In Sub-saharan Africa the number of children under

In Sub-saharan Africa the number of children under 5 with epilepsy, intellectual disability, sensory impairments, & autism spectrum disorder rose by 71.3% from 8.6 million in 1990 to 14.7 million in 2016.

These children have a higher risk of abuse and premature death, including infanticide, compared to children without disabilities.

But there is HOPE for these children ❤️

Special Hope Network exists to bring glory to God by creating a world where all kids are valued. We impact communities by improving care for kids with intellectual disabilities. This starts by equipping families and caregivers to provide these children with a loving home, holistic health care, and exceptional education and therapies.

Tap follow and join us as we strive to create a world for children with intellectual disabilities.

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

Roberta and her daughter Edith have been attending

Roberta and her daughter Edith have been attending a Community Care Center since 2018. Edith is 8 years old and has cerebral palsy. Roberta shared with us about the difference Special Hope has made in their lives:

“Before I came to Special Hope, my life was very hard for me and for my child. When I came here I see children like my child. When I was home, I was very sad, but when I came here, I was happy. I want to say thank you to Special Hope, for what they have done in our lives.”

Join us as we make lasting change in the lives of children with intellectual disabilities and their families.

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

💡Did you know? 💡 15% of the world’s popul

💡Did you know? 💡

15% of the world’s population live with a disability, making them the world’s largest minority group. Of that group, 80% are in developing countries, like Zambia.

Persons with disabilities are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes such as less education, poorer health outcomes, lower levels of employment, and higher poverty rates. Poverty may increase the risk of disability through malnutrition, inadequate access to education and health care, unsafe working conditions, a polluted environment, and lack of access to safe water and sanitation. Disability may also increase the risk of poverty, through lack of employment and education opportunities, lower wages, and increased cost of living with a disability.

Children with intellectual disabilities, like Patricia in this photo, often are not able to receive the care and support they desperately need. Special Hope Network exists to provide these children and their parents with the support and resources they need to thrive.

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

Learning, growing, and having fun! Our Community C

Learning, growing, and having fun! Our Community Care Centers provide a much-needed space for children with intellectual disabilities and their families where they can be supported, encouraged, and loved. ❤️

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

This is Abraham. He is two years old and just star

This is Abraham. He is two years old and just started coming to our Ng’ombe CCC in January of this year. When he joined, he had little control over his neck, and could not make any sound. Now, he can sit on his own, play with a toy, and say “mama.”

When families come to a Community Care Center for the first time, many are surprised to find out that their neighbor also has a child with a disability. In this photo, Abraham is working on motor skills with other children who live in the same compound as him and his family. Amazing things happen when you know you’re not alone!

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

Disability doesn’t always look the same, but eve

Disability doesn’t always look the same, but every child with a disability has value. ❤️

Each of the children who attends our Community Care Centers has unique needs and limitations. Our trainers take care in creating customized goals and lessons for each child!

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

This is Catherine with her mother Jessy. They have

This is Catherine with her mother Jessy. They have been attending a Community Care Center since 2018. Catherine has accomplished several developmental milestones recently, including taking apart stacks of bowls and cups, pointing to pictures, and asking for things she wants/needs. Thank you for cheering on children like Catherine! 🙌🏿

We believe that children with intellectual disabilities have an important role in their families and their communities. At our community care centers, Special Hope staff can partner with parents to provide the guidance, skills, and support necessary to see their children with disabilities thrive. 🌱

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

Tizibenji is 6 years old and when she started comi

Tizibenji is 6 years old and when she started coming to a Community Care Center she was working on sitting and neck control. Since then, she has learned how to sit independently, pull to stand alone, and is able to say words like “mama.”

In this photo, Tizibenji is receiving a health assessment from Mwandu, one of our social workers, at our Ng’ombe Community Care Center. ❤️At Special Hope Network we believe that every child should be healthy - body, soul, and mind. We provide medical care for children with intellectual disabilities, often for the first time in their lives.

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

Hey there! If you’re new to Special Hope, welcom

Hey there! If you’re new to Special Hope, welcome! 👋🏿

Special Hope Network is a faith-based, Christian organization called to bear witness to God’s glory through caring for children with intellectual disabilities in Zambia. 🇿🇲 We do this by equipping families and caregivers to provide for these children with a loving home 🏠, holistic health ❤️‍, and exceptional education and therapies 🎓.

This photo is of Tacel, with her mother and aunt, who have only been attending one of our Community Care Centers since February of this year. Since then, they have seen Tacel reach milestones like sitting with support and reaching for toys!

Because every child (like Tacel) has value. ❤️

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

Happy National Nonprofit Day! Have you been thin

Happy National Nonprofit Day!

Have you been thinking about other ways that you can support the work of @specialhopenetwork? Here is a quick list of some of the ways you can make an impact without spending any money.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of children with intellectual disabilities! ❤️

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

“Open your mouth for those who cannot speak, for

“Open your mouth for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously and defend the rights of the afflicted and the needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9

This is the heart behind what we do. Children with intellectual disabilities have value. ❤️

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

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When you give to Special Hope, you impact communities by improving care for kids with intellectual disabilities and empowering families and caregivers to provide a loving home, holistic health, and exceptional education and therapies.

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