Albinism and disabilities no barrier to inclusive education for Zimbabwean children
Being born with albinism is not a crime neither is it a curse. We are just normal beings.
My name is Jayden Nokutenda Manyika. I am a 13-year-old Form 1 student at St Ignatius College. When I was born, my mother wept, not because I was born with albinism but because of the challenges I would face in future life through stigmatisation and society’s ignorance of my condition from a traditional and cultural perspective. However, the support from my mother and her family have made me strong and bold in any situation from a tender age. I was groomed on how to tolerate any hostility and negativity towards my situation. This buffer has taken me through what many would find to be trying emotional times.
Being born with albinism is not a crime neither is it a curse. We are just normal beings. My biggest enemy is the sun and I cannot play any outdoor games like any other children, even though I love soccer. Instead, I play chess and other indoor games. I have also become a bookworm. I have read many books like adults from Chinua Achebe, "Things Fall Apart", "Animal Farm". My grandfather also introduced me to books with characters with albinism such as "Takadini" and "The Albino Boy". Such books really empowered me and made me understand the world.
More needs to be done to remove stigma around people living with albinism. I once tried to enrol into a certain school and the Headmaster initially refused to accept me. I was finally accepted only because of my good report card. I made a resolution to work extremely hard and dispel any stigmatisation the teacher, the Head and the school could have been harbouring against me. It seemed the key to success and acceptance was excellence in whatever I do. Be it dressing and cleanliness.
Living with albinism is expensive as some things like lotions are awfully expensive. l also need spectacles. I grieve to think of how some children with albinism are surviving. Given the platform, I will fight for all children with albinism. Government policies should help alleviate our plight by having legislation in place to uphold and protect our rights.
Let my story help to be the voice of the voiceless. We do not need pity but acceptance as equals. Love us as we love you and be kind and generous as our situation requires.
Inclusive education
UNICEF has been supporting the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE) to develop an Inclusive Education Policy. Once this is in place, it will help all stakeholders in the sector to address issues to do with inclusion and equity for all children, especially those who are marginalized and lack access to education.
Inclusion looks holistically at all children with special needs – those who have physical, mental, hearing and visual impairments, those who are academically challenged, those with special talents and inclinations, specific challenges for girls, school drop outs, hungry and malnourished children, and those with albinism.
This list is not exhaustive. By nature of the differences in their backgrounds and physical stature, all children are different, and inclusivity examines an assesses the needs of each one and creates an environment in each school which promotes the optimum exit profile of each child.
My name is Jayden Nokutenda Manyika. I am a 13-year-old Form 1 student at St Ignatius College. When I was born, my mother wept, not because I was born with albinism but because of the challenges I would face in future life through stigmatisation and society’s ignorance of my condition from a traditional and cultural perspective. However, the support from my mother and her family have made me strong and bold in any situation from a tender age. I was groomed on how to tolerate any hostility and negativity towards my situation. This buffer has taken me through what many would find to be trying emotional times.
Being born with albinism is not a crime neither is it a curse. We are just normal beings. My biggest enemy is the sun and I cannot play any outdoor games like any other children, even though I love soccer. Instead, I play chess and other indoor games. I have also become a bookworm. I have read many books like adults from Chinua Achebe, "Things Fall Apart", "Animal Farm". My grandfather also introduced me to books with characters with albinism such as "Takadini" and "The Albino Boy". Such books really empowered me and made me understand the world.
More needs to be done to remove stigma around people living with albinism. I once tried to enrol into a certain school and the Headmaster initially refused to accept me. I was finally accepted only because of my good report card. I made a resolution to work extremely hard and dispel any stigmatisation the teacher, the Head and the school could have been harbouring against me. It seemed the key to success and acceptance was excellence in whatever I do. Be it dressing and cleanliness.
Living with albinism is expensive as some things like lotions are awfully expensive. l also need spectacles. I grieve to think of how some children with albinism are surviving. Given the platform, I will fight for all children with albinism. Government policies should help alleviate our plight by having legislation in place to uphold and protect our rights.
Let my story help to be the voice of the voiceless. We do not need pity but acceptance as equals. Love us as we love you and be kind and generous as our situation requires.
Inclusive education
UNICEF has been supporting the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE) to develop an Inclusive Education Policy. Once this is in place, it will help all stakeholders in the sector to address issues to do with inclusion and equity for all children, especially those who are marginalized and lack access to education.
Inclusion looks holistically at all children with special needs – those who have physical, mental, hearing and visual impairments, those who are academically challenged, those with special talents and inclinations, specific challenges for girls, school drop outs, hungry and malnourished children, and those with albinism.
This list is not exhaustive. By nature of the differences in their backgrounds and physical stature, all children are different, and inclusivity examines an assesses the needs of each one and creates an environment in each school which promotes the optimum exit profile of each child.
