Hello everyone!

We would like to share ‘Obuntu bulamu’, a project that is working to improve inclusion of children with disabilities in primary schools. Obuntu bulamu refers to characteristics of generosity, consideration and humaneness towards others in the community, and it is closely related to the South African Ubuntu philosophy. It consists of peer to peer support of children, parents, and teachers, training, and on job mentoring, infrastructural changes, development of learning materials using locally available materials, and awareness raising activities in 10 schools in Wakiso district in Uganda.

Children, parents, and teachers developed scripts together with a professional documentary maker and the research team. The short films can be seen here: https://www.ugent.be/pp/orthopedagogiek/en/news-events/news/obuntubulamu.htm and include an introduction (Obuntu bulamu) and 3 video narratives of children with a disability: Mercy, Josephine, and James. They show daily experiences of children with disabilities in their home and school lives, and give them and people involved in their lives a voice. The narratives emphasize the importance of belonging and caring for each other to make inclusion possible.

For more information about the project and Obuntu bulamu please contact Dr Femke Bannink Mbazzi on femke.bannink@mrcuganda.org or femke.bannink@ugent.be.