Your letters/emails
HIV/AIDS and inclusion
As child rights campaigners we have noted that in rural areas children who are orphans are more likely to leave school than those whose parents are still alive. Due to stigma associated with HIV/AIDS the traditional social fabrics that used to hold families together are no longer there. We have situations where children have to leave school to nurse their sick parents, then see them die and remain alone struggling for survival. Such children become traumatised and vulnerable to abuse. Children whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS often face discrimination in schools. Children have been transferred from one school to another in the process of trying to find someone to keep them. As a result of not being accepted children have ended up being street children. The question is how do we create an inclusive society in the midst of this crisis? We must ask ourselves, how can teachers become better role models in the creation of an environment where all children feel loved and accepted, and how can we all provide for the needs of these children without stigmatising them.
We welcome contact with anyone who is interested in working with us on these issues.
Boswell Mboozi
Child Rights Campaigner
Christian Resource Centre
Salvation Army Church
PO Box 670017
Mazabuka
Zambia
Information request
Greetings. The special edition of EENET ‘Salamanca Ten Years On’ is an excellent collection of articles. The contribution of CBR to promote inclusive education is significant. Kindly publish articles on CBR projects in developing countries which have a special focus on inclusive education.
Indumathi Rao
Regional Adviser CBR NETWORK (South Asia)
134,1st Block,6th Main,BSK III Stage
Bangalore-560085
India Email: cbrnet@vsnl.com
Web: www.cbrnetwork.org.in
(Editor’s notes – we invite readers to contribute articles on this subject)
Thank you
I am really thankful for sending me some articles and reading materials on inclusive education. It made my heart leap with so much joy upon receiving the mail. I believe that we can work hand-in-hand in advocating education to every child regardless of their disabilities. In this manner, many children will benefit and become great leaders in the future. Words are not enough to describe the happiness you brought in my life.
Kharen May B. Flores
S-D Ybanez Private Road
Ibabao, Mandaue City 6014
Cebu, Philippines
Email: kharenmay29@yahoo.com
Inclusive education: An approach that is ‘all-people-oriented’
When the Special Education Tutor first taught me about inclusive education as the new global trend in education – during my recently completed (2003) Initial Teacher Training – my initial opinion was that either our government in particular had no capacity to build special schools or else the quality of education in Uganda was deteriorating (like the common talk of our grandparents).
My re-orientation has only been through experience of school culture. But I felt compelled to start ‘Esepaf’. Esepaf is an NGO trying to address inclusive education in Uganda. Our efforts revolve around active involvement of school children, teachers and parents in awareness creation. This is to curb the negative attitudes towards disadvantaged children and the general conditions and customs that make particular groups unwelcome, not supported or even derided.
I find the concept of inclusive education accommodates the participation and advocacy of all people (who may in some way affect the lives of others) more so than a few trained practitioners in special schools can. The addition of Esepaf on EENET’s mailing list has brightened the purpose and direction of our work. We are proud of joining the sharing of experiences and ideas with EENET.
Kalulu Anthony
Esepaf Uganda
P.O.Box 16
Kamuli
Uganda
Email: esepaf@yahoo.com
Website: www.crin.org/organisations/vieworg.asp?ID=2568