In 2017, the World Forgotten Children Foundation (WFCF) supported the African Community Project by funding US$ 250 to purchase a stretcher for the Luyaba Primary School in Zimba District and an additional US$ 1,295 for the construction of an additional lavatory at the Chibolya Community School in Mazabuka District.

Background

The Luyaba Primary School in Zimba District located 56 kilometers from Zimba is one of the pilot schools in Zambia for ‘Inclusive Education’. Its programs provide education to children with various disabilities and physical handicaps. The school currently has eight epileptic students enrolled. These children have constant epileptic seizures. During such occurrences, the school previously had no device to carry students to the sick room for observation. These seizures can happen anywhere and at any time; in the play areas as well as in the classrooms. Hence the need for an apparatus (a stretcher) that can support their transport.

The Chibolya Community School in Mazabuka District started as a small pre-school which was set up in response to a lack of facilities and then in early 2012, a new two-classroom primary school building was added as well as a nursery building. The children staying in the handicap dormitory had to exit the building (oftentimes late at night in the dark) to access the main lavatory facilities used by the whole school. As such, there was a need for a handicap accessible lavatory facility to be built in their dormitory.

Equipment

The Stretcher

Purchasing the stretcher for the Luyaba Primary School has enabled the staff to carry the students to the safety of the sick room for their own comfort, treatment, and away from public view during a seizure.

The Lavatory

Through the lavatory construction project, the Chibolya Community School now has a new sanitation system which has allowed a lavatory to be built inside the building that houses the handicapped students’ dormitory. This handicap accessible lavatory eliminates the need for the children to exit the building after dark to visit the main lavatory facilities used by the whole school. The general contractor who built the new bathroom block at the school was hired to install the toilet, sink, accessibility accessories and finish work (laying the ceramic tiles and painting). This lavatory is specifically designed for the use of the handicapped students and caregivers living in the dormitory. The room is large enough to accommodate mobility devices’ (wheelchairs or crutches) and the assisting caregiver.

Thank You! (From the African Community Project)

These two projects have provided much improvement to the well-being of the children at Luyaba Primary School in Zimba District and Chibolya Community School in Mazabuka District. For all involved in this project it has come at a vital time-- showing compassion to children with disabilities. From the children, their families, caregivers, and the African Community Project, we thank the World Forgotten Children Foundation (WFCF) for your generous donation. Projects like this are ongoing and part of the African Community Project mandate to support the well-being of members of our community and to their families as well.