NZ Psychologist Reminds Kiwis How Far Our Special Needs Children Have Come as ChildFund Appeals For Help

ChildFund New Zealand asking Kiwis to build first special needs school

Hundreds of children with disabilities in Zambia have no facilities for learning

NZ$300,000 needed to give them a start in life

Just 50 years ago, children with special needs in New Zealand were no different to those in Zambia today, with minimal education facilities and resources available to them. Children with special needs and their families also experienced widespread social stigma and isolation as a result of their children’s unique learning needs says a New Zealand expert in child psychology, Jasmine Murphy.
 
In Zambia’s Luangwa District there are no education facilities for more than 340 children with disabilities and ChildFund New Zealand is launching a major appeal for the first special needs school in the area. 
 
Ms Murphy says a movement in New Zealand during the 1950-1960’s saw determined and passionate Kiwi parents put pressure on the relevant social welfare and education sectors to dedicate funds to provide facilities for special needs children.  Their perseverance saw change effected with the right learning tools, specialist teachers and resources.

“Now children with disabilities are as much a part of our education system and society as anyone else.  This demonstrates that significant change can occur relatively quickly within communities that receive appropriate funding and support, just like those requiring similar support in Zambia today”.
 
ChildFund New Zealand Campaigns Manager, Emily Burgess says Kiwis can help replicate the same change in attitude by helping build the first special needs school in Luangwa, Zambia.  She has just returned from Zambia and says the 24,000-strong community is willing to build a school, and has support from the Ministry of Education, but the funds are impossible to raise without external help.
 
“People there don’t understand why children have disabilities with some thinking it’s the result of a curse on the family. Many of these children are hidden away and there are no education resources tailored to their needs,” says Emily.
 
“The parents of these disabled children are just like any Kiwi mum or dad. They want the best for their children, and believe every child should have the right to an education.  Many studies show that even a modest education helps improve earning potential, health and quality of life, and by helping build this school, Kiwis can help these children achieve that.”
 
Kapoche Basic School teacher Lelani Bamba is specially trained in teaching children with disabilities but finds it difficult to give the students the time and attention they need. She teaches five disabled children in a class of 50 able-bodied students.
 
“I don’t have the resources I need to teach or the time to look after all my students and disabled students. My classroom is so basic. The children squeeze three to a desk. I desperately need learning materials for the disabled children.”
 
The two-classroom special education block will be attached to the already existing Kapoche Basic School and also include a boarding residence for 40 students.
The school and residence will be built with ramps, handrails and stocked with special equipment and resources in line with Zambia’s national curriculum.
 
“To help communities understand children with disabilities and support the new school, the children and their families, we will be training students from local schools to become peer educators. These peer educators will be trained to support their fellow students with disabilities,” says Emily.
 
“Most of the children I met want so much to do normal things like going to school. One little boy told me that going to school makes him feel human. These kids just want the chance to be the best they can be and we want to give them that chance.”
 
The Special Education School will be located at Kapoche Basic School in the rural Chikondwelelo community (30 kilometres from Luangwa Boma, the central town). Chikondwelelo is a New Zealand dedicated ChildFund project area where nearly 500 children are sponsored by caring New Zealanders.
 
For more information or to donate to the ChildFund Special Education School Appeal please go to www.childfund.org.nz or call 0800 223 111.
 
ENDS
 
For more information, photos, video footage or interviews, please contact:
Kiri Carter, Communications Manager
DD: (09) 366 2276
Mobile: 027 255 4391
Email: kiri@childfund.org.nz
 
About ChildFund New Zealand
ChildFund New Zealand is a member of the ChildFund Alliance, an international child development organisation with 70 years of experience helping the world’s neediest children, which works in 53 countries, assisting 15 million children and family members regardless of race, creed or gender.
 
ChildFund New Zealand works for the well-being of children by supporting locally led initiatives that strengthen families and communities, helping them overcome poverty and protect the rights of their children.
 
ChildFund’s comprehensive programmes incorporate health, education, nutrition and livelihood interventions that sustainably protect, nurture and develop children. ChildFund works in any environment where poverty, conflict and disaster threaten the well-being of children.