UNICEF’s initiative to bring greater access to education for children in Lebanon with special needs
How UNICEF Lebanon and the governments of Canada and Australia are boosting inclusion and disability rights in education
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World Vision's Dar al Sadaka education center at Zahlé in Lebanon's Bekaa region is full of young children taking their first steps in education, eager to play and learn. Among them, Fatima first seems shy. Taking her place at the art table, soon she's side by side with her classmates and busy with paper and glue creating a collage. Like the children around her, Fatima is a refugee, but this lively four-year-old is also living with Down Syndrome.
World Vision's center hosts 500 children in class every day, 250 in the morning, 250 in the afternoon. It's a bright, fun place to be. All the children are refugees, and Fatima is one of 5 children with disabilities or learning difficulties included in the programme. Her attendance to Dar al Sadaka is made possible through UNICEF Lebanon and the governments of Canada and Australia partnership aimed at boosting inclusion for all children in education. Together they are inspiring increased enlightenment of attitudes that have brought greater access to education for children with special needs.
Fatima’s teachers at Dar al Sadaka involve her in every aspect of school life, and on an equal basis with her classmates.
"At first, Fatima struggled to give even the most basic eye-contact to her classmates and me”, her class teacher Lita remembers. “But, with persistence and patience, she has opened up and become a lively member of the group. Through this experience, as she starts her life, we can give Fatima the opportunity to become a valued member of society".
Tracy Khalaf, an inclusion officer for World Vision, recalls how Fatima came to her attention, "We regularly visit informal settlements in the Bekaa to make sure parents and caregivers know how and where to register their children for school. We met Fatima and her family and knew she had Down Syndrome. We assured her parents that our center would be the best place for Fatima to come, that it was a safe space, and that Fatima would receive the necessary services as a part of UNICEF’s inclusive education program that provides additional training and support to include children with disabilities.. They wanted the best for their daughter, and now and then we have her parents in to visit. They tell us of the changes they've seen in Fatima at home too – they say Fatima can complete tasks on her own a little more, she's confident to socialize too. She's not afraid of being who she is."
"At first, Fatima struggled to give even the most basic eye-contact to her classmates and me”, her class teacher Lita remembers. “But, with persistence and patience, she has opened up and become a lively member of the group. Through this experience, as she starts her life, we can give Fatima the opportunity to become a valued member of society".
After a year at Dar al Sadaka, four-year-old Fatima is no longer defined by her chromosomes. Instead, she's loved and valued by her teachers and classmates for the bright young girl that she is.
"Initially, Fatima wouldn't play with other children, and they are still too young to understand why not. Their natural reaction was to ignore her. We worked with Fatima and her classmates and encouraged them to play together. Quickly, Fatima felt secure, and any barriers were removed".
Today, Fatima throws herself energetically into all aspects of classroom life – and is always the last to leave when the end of the day comes.
“Fatima no longer sees herself as being any different to her classmates. She feels accepted, and this reflects in the development of her character and her behavior".
"Initially, Fatima wouldn't play with other children, and they are still too young to understand why not. Their natural reaction was to ignore her. We worked with Fatima and her classmates and encouraged them to play together. Quickly, Fatima felt secure, and any barriers were removed".
"By including Fatima in lessons at this young age, it benefits everyone in the class and throughout the center. We are raising awareness of disabilities and erasing ignorance. Through this, there becomes more acceptance of those who may be different from us. The beneficiary isn’t Fatima alone – it extends throughout a much wider circle.”
Decades of research has proven that inclusive education substantially increases academic performance and the rate of employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Her teacher notes, "By including Fatima in lessons at this young age, it benefits everyone in the class and throughout the center. We are raising awareness of disabilities and erasing ignorance. Through this, there becomes more acceptance of those who may be different from us. The beneficiary isn’t Fatima alone – it extends throughout a much wider circle.”
Today, through the UNICEF initiative that has helped bring Fatima to Dar al Sadaka, the misperceptions of a community are being replaced. Caring for Fatima has been the stone dropped in the pond that is spreading ripples of love and enlightenment.
