Denis has received a prosthetic knee to aid his mobility and he is currently enrolled at the Amolatar Primary School.
Dubai - Coming from a poor family background, he became disabled at the age of 11 following a lower leg amputation.
Published: Thu 19 Apr 2018, 10:00 PM
Updated: Fri 20 Apr 2018, 12:21 AM
Denis is 13 and lives with his three brothers, sister and parents in Muntu Sub County of Amolatar district in Northern Uganda.
Dropped out of school at primary level in 2015 after a leg amputation, Denis now dreams of becoming a doctor and help others. He started dreaming again because of timely intervention by Dubai Cares.
Coming from a poor family background, he became disabled at the age of 11 following a lower leg amputation, which was due to a bacterial infection. Denis's parents constantly fight for his right to receive an education and are highly supportive of his development. However, having previously attended a local government primary school, Denis faced several physical accessibility challenges within the school environment, as well as bullying and discrimination against him due to his disability. Further to these problems, his parents were unable to support him with sufficient school materials. The combination of these issues eventually led to Denis dropping out of school in 2015 at primary level three.
Among the programmes launched by the Dubai Cares in Uganda last November was the 'Inclusive Education in Northern Uganda' programme that supports the enrollment and integration of children of determination into mainstream primary schools. This intervention by the Dubai Cares has allowed children in Amolatar District with cases similar to Denis', to benefit from schooling, medical and rehabilitative treatment. The programme seeks to provide a successful model to the government on how to support children of determination within the school system in order to reduce the number of school dropouts among children in the country.
Upon receiving information about the programme from their local council chairperson during a mobilisation activity, Denis's family brought him along to be assessed for inclusion within the programme. He was immediately identified as a target beneficiary and shortly after, medically assessed and registered for the programme.
Denis has received a prosthetic knee to aid his mobility and he is currently enrolled at the Amolatar Primary School. His parents have expressed their happiness with the support received for their son.
Speaking about the programme, his father said: "I am very happy with what this project is doing for Denis and our community. The most important thing for me is that my son feels included in activities and now feels hopeful about his future."
Denis said: "I am happy that I will be going to school every day and I want to remain in school so that I can become a doctor and help others."
The role of Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares programme aims to ensure that 500 children of determination in the Amolatar District are enrolled in mainstream primary schools. This Dh2.8 million 'Inclusive Education in Northern Uganda' programme will indirectly benefit more than 21,400 members of the community, including teachers, parents, and government staff. In addition to supporting the actual enrolment of these children into mainstream schools, the programme will also ensure referrals for medical/rehabilitative treatment for those who need it.
Finally, the programme will seek to provide a successful model to the government on how to support children of determination within the school system in order to reduce the number out of school children in the country.
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