Students with disabilities in Malawi encouraged to chase their dreams

Ntchisi, Malawi-Primary school students with disabilities from Senior Chief Chilooko in Ntchisi District, Malawi, were challenged to use their physical condition as an opportunity to prove that they are equally capable of achieving their dreams, just like anyone else, writes James Mwale, MANA.

The call was made during a confidence-building interaction between the students and officers from the district council, which took place on Wednesday at Malomo Trading Centre in the district.

The meeting was organized by the Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) to encourage the students to continue building on their intellectual and technical skills despite discouraging social stereotypes.

MACOHA Senior Rehabilitation Officer, Yunus Dickson, told the Malawi News Agency that most people with disabilities are capable of achieving great things in various sectors of society, but they often suffer from an inferiority complex due to discouraging sentiments from society regarding their physical condition.

This interface is aimed at building their confidence while they are still young.

“The aim of this activity is to motivate primary school learners with disabilities from the area to aspire in life. We have invited senior officers from the district council to give motivational speeches to them,” said Dickson.

The event took place at Senior Chief Chilooko’s court and was attended by the council’s District Youth Officer, Grey Kalampa.

Kalampa urged the learners’ parents to take a leading role in encouraging their children to always maintain a positive attitude and work on improving their potential.

“Apart from school, you also need to encourage them (the students) to build on their technical skills. They need to be motivated, starting at home, that they are equally capable of growing into self-reliant and influential citizens of society, just like anyone else,” said Kalampa.

He added that local authorities should also take deliberate initiatives to make sure such encouraging messages spread to as many students as possible across the villages in the area.

Appreciating the initiative, Senior Chief Chilooko said there was also a need to engage representatives of people with disabilities in Area Development Committees (ADCs) so that issues directly involving their welfare are presented first-hand.

The event was organized with support from Hope and Healing International (HHI) and included poetry recitals, traditional dances, and drama performances by the learners.

It started with a solidarity walk from Malomo Police Station to Senior Chief Chilooko’s court with placards carrying the message “Disability is not inability.”

The event was a positive step in breaking down stereotypes and encouraging children with disabilities to believe in themselves and their abilities.