Sabiny Transformation Initiative, BEN Network Strengthen Inclusive Support for Children with Disabilities in Kapchorwa

Four Million shillings (Ugx. 4M) has been allocated to support families of children with severe impairments as a revolving fund to help caregivers start small businesses. This was revealed during a community engagement on identification, assessment, and development of Individual support plans (ISPs) for children in Kaptyana Sub-County, Kapchorwa District.Parents, head teachers, teachers, care givers, community leaders, and project staff met to strengthen support systems for children with disabilities. The meeting was facilitated by Sabiny Transformation Initiative (STI) in partnership with and with support from BEN Network Uganda (BEN).Mande Musa, the program assistant at STI said that they agreed to revive saving groups that were opened last year, 2025 with parents pledging their total support towards the SACCO. “This means that the SACCO members will have continuous meetings and savings up to April 2026, then STI will come in to support those groups that would have saved” he said. This according to Mr. Musa is to encourage ownership and continuity of the SACCOs.Discussions focused on identifying learners, conducting assessments, and developing Individual Support Plans (ISPs) to ensure holistic educational, medical, social, and economic support. Currently, 45 children with disabilities are enrolled in schools across Kaptanya, with 23 linked to treatment and rehabilitation services, showing improvements in mobility and communication. 5 youth (4 boys and 1 girl) have completed vocational skills training to promote self-reliance.Sylvia Cherop, STI’s Program Officer and also the focal person for the BEN network project emphasized the need for inclusive education of children with disabilities to ensure that they are actually learning and not only going to school. She further asked parents and care givers to change their attitude towards these children and ensure they provide their necessary basic needs.Bashir Chelangat, a parent and a beneficiary of this project appreciated STI and BEN Network for supporting his daughter who is now in P2 at Light Nursery P/S with school fees. He said the change in her performance and hygiene is already very visible and he pledged to continue providing other requirements to keep his child in school.Participants also emphasized greater male involvement in caregiving, encouraging fathers to take active roles in their children’s education and well-being.Schools were urged to improve accessibility through accessible toilets, and inclusive classroom practices, with plans to sign MOUs and conduct routine monitoring visits. Participants were also sensitized on the Persons with Disabilities Act 2020 and encouraged to strengthen financial resilience through VSLAs, with additional funds allocated through Sebei Farmers SACCO to ease access to credit.The meeting concluded with clear action points and renewed commitment to inclusive education and a more supportive future for children with disabilities in Kapchorwa district.