UWEZO Youth Empowerment continues to prioritize the promotion of the rights and development of children and young people with disabilities. It works with them in a broad and inclusive way, aiming to help them live independently and to demonstrate that they have abilities equal to anyone else.
UWEZO emphasizes that supporting these children is the foundation for changing the mindset of those who still perceive a child with a disability as incapable, while in reality such children can make vital contributions to everyday life.
To expand its initiatives, the organization launched a school club named “SERUKA Mwana” in three schools in Musanze District: GS Muhoza I, GS Muko, and GS Busogo. The club is designed to empower children with disabilities to assert themselves in society, develop self-worth, and practice self-advocacy.
According to Rusatira Job, the Programs and Communication Officer at UWEZO, the organization chose to engage children and youth with disabilities to help them defend their rights and have a voice in the country’s development.
He explained that UWEZO runs two major programs: one for youth and another focusing on children. On the youth side, the organization supports entrepreneurship, the use of ICT, and independent living skills. For example, youth with visual impairments are trained to use their canes effectively so they can move around without constant assistance, while those with mobility impairments are taught to handle their wheelchairs without being pushed.
Others are supported to form small project groups and provided with startup tools, while university graduates are linked to internship opportunities that often lead to permanent employment.
For children, the initiatives focus on advocacy for their rights to education and healthcare, enabling them to study in safety and grow up with confidence. Some members of the SERUKA Mwana club say that the knowledge and mentorship they receive have helped them perform better academically, integrate with their peers, and realize that they too have opportunities to thrive in everyday life.
They explain that society is gradually beginning to recognize them as capable individuals, both within their families and in the schools they attend.
Uwitonze Hesron, the Disability Officer in Musanze District, says such projects are crucial because they build confidence in children with disabilities while also complementing government programs aimed at helping them access education and development.
He affirms that when a child with a disability is supported, the whole family gains encouragement, supports the child’s talents, and contributes to their personal growth. He further called upon other partners to come to Musanze and other parts of the country to extend similar opportunities to children who have not yet benefited, especially those in rural areas where many still face challenges such as being denied schooling or being stigmatized with derogatory names.
The work of UWEZO is also aligned with Rwanda’s government strategies through the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and other national policies that ensure every child has access to education and their rights respected.
At the international level, the initiative is in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on inclusive quality education for all and Goal 10 on reducing inequalities.
Altogether, the work of UWEZO Youth Empowerment demonstrates that empowering children with disabilities is a cornerstone for their development. It enables them to build confidence, access opportunities, and become contributors to national growth, just like any other citizen.
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