From Isolation to Inclusion: The Story of Zénabou, a Central African Teenager Living with a Disability

Along a dusty street in Bambari, in the heart of the Central African Republic (CAR), 14-year-old Zénabou, who was born deaf and mute, watched every morning as children set off for school.

“I always felt a deep pain watching the other children leave with their backpacks. It tormented me, because even though I was eager to know what went on at school, I quickly realized that world wasn’t made for me—because I’m different,” said Zénabou in a report by Education Cannot Wait (ECW)—the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations.

For many children living with disabilities, the doors to education have long remained closed, leaving them with little opportunity or hope for the future. But in the Central African Republic, things are beginning to change.

Thanks to an inclusive education pilot initiative, children like Zénabou are finally receiving the tailored support they deserve. This program provides essential resources—learning materials, mobility aids, and specialized courses in Braille and sign language. It also builds a genuine community support network and integrates children with disabilities into local schools.

The initiative is funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and supported by UNICEF, in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion and national organizations such as the Braille Literacy and Training Center for the Blind in CAR and the National Association of the Hearing Impaired.

Along a dusty street in Bambari, in the heart of the Central African Republic (CAR), 14-year-old Zénabou, who was born deaf and mute, watched every morning as children set off for school.

“I always felt a deep pain watching the other children leave with their backpacks. It tormented me, because even though I was eager to know what went on at school, I quickly realized that world wasn’t made for me—because I’m different,” said Zénabou in a report by Education Cannot Wait (ECW)—the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations.

For many children living with disabilities, the doors to education have long remained closed, leaving them with little opportunity or hope for the future. But in the Central African Republic, things are beginning to change.

Thanks to an inclusive education pilot initiative, children like Zénabou are finally receiving the tailored support they deserve. This program provides essential resources—learning materials, mobility aids, and specialized courses in Braille and sign language. It also builds a genuine community support network and integrates children with disabilities into local schools.

The initiative is funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and supported by UNICEF, in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion and national organizations such as the Braille Literacy and Training Center for the Blind in CAR and the National Association of the Hearing Impaired.

A Door Opens

For Zénabou and other children with disabilities, this is an extraordinary moment.

Born deaf and mute, Zénabou lived in a society where stigma toward people with disabilities remains strong, excluding them from nearly every aspect of life. Educational initiatives for them were rare. Before her enrollment, Zénabou stayed home, helping her mother with household chores: doing dishes, laundry, and fetching water filled her days.

“I had no hope of going to school. The day I entered for the first time, I discovered I wasn’t alone. I was amazed to see 30 deaf students in the same classroom!” said Zénabou.

With ECW’s multi-year funding, UNICEF and its partners established specialized classrooms for deaf and visually impaired children in mainstream primary schools in Bambari. For the first time, Zénabou is learning to read, write, count—and she is mastering sign language.

“It’s a miracle that a child who can’t speak can now write. School is a blessing,” said Zénabou’s father.

Before attending school, Zénabou could hardly communicate. Her parents, who are both illiterate, had little hope for her future. But everything changed thanks to the resources and support she received.

“Today, my daughter Zénabou can express herself despite her deafness. I’m optimistic about her future. She’s going to succeed!” her father declared.

Her parents are now her biggest champions. Her mother, though not living with a disability herself, is an active member of the National Association of People with Disabilities (ANPH). She first learned about the program during one of the association’s meetings.

Inclusive education efforts in the Central African Republic are strengthening local organizations like the ANPH and the National Association of the Hearing Impaired. These partnerships have facilitated the integration of deaf children in Bambari, with plans to expand the initiative to other regions.

Working with organizations of persons with disabilities is essential to ensure their inclusion in decision-making processes, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Today, Zénabou’s parents are grateful to see their daughter gaining the tools she needs to reach her potential. Her younger sister Aziza, age 8, is even in the same class. Aziza, who is hearing, had previously missed school due to insecurity. Now, she is learning sign language alongside Zénabou.

The Education Crisis in CAR

The Central African Republic is one of the most difficult places in the world to be a child.

“The education infrastructure has been devastated. One million children are out of school. Those living with disabilities are among the most affected due to stigma and lack of specialized support.”

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) recently expanded its resilience program in CAR.

“Together with our partners, ECW is ensuring the inclusion of disability across all our education investments in emergencies and protracted crises, while also supporting targeted interventions to overcome the specific barriers faced by girls and boys with disabilities in crisis contexts,” said Yasmine Sherif, ECW Executive Director.

To date, 536,000 crisis-affected children in the Central African Republic have benefited from quality education support through ECW’s investments.

A Door Opens

For Zénabou and other children with disabilities, this is an extraordinary moment.

Born deaf and mute, Zénabou lived in a society where stigma toward people with disabilities remains strong, excluding them from nearly every aspect of life. Educational initiatives for them were rare. Before her enrollment, Zénabou stayed home, helping her mother with household chores: doing dishes, laundry, and fetching water filled her days.

“I had no hope of going to school. The day I entered for the first time, I discovered I wasn’t alone. I was amazed to see 30 deaf students in the same classroom!” said Zénabou.

With ECW’s multi-year funding, UNICEF and its partners established specialized classrooms for deaf and visually impaired children in mainstream primary schools in Bambari. For the first time, Zénabou is learning to read, write, count—and she is mastering sign language.

“It’s a miracle that a child who can’t speak can now write. School is a blessing,” said Zénabou’s father.

Before attending school, Zénabou could hardly communicate. Her parents, who are both illiterate, had little hope for her future. But everything changed thanks to the resources and support she received.

“Today, my daughter Zénabou can express herself despite her deafness. I’m optimistic about her future. She’s going to succeed!” her father declared.

Her parents are now her biggest champions. Her mother, though not living with a disability herself, is an active member of the National Association of People with Disabilities (ANPH). She first learned about the program during one of the association’s meetings.

Inclusive education efforts in the Central African Republic are strengthening local organizations like the ANPH and the National Association of the Hearing Impaired. These partnerships have facilitated the integration of deaf children in Bambari, with plans to expand the initiative to other regions.

Working with organizations of persons with disabilities is essential to ensure their inclusion in decision-making processes, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Today, Zénabou’s parents are grateful to see their daughter gaining the tools she needs to reach her potential. Her younger sister Aziza, age 8, is even in the same class. Aziza, who is hearing, had previously missed school due to insecurity. Now, she is learning sign language alongside Zénabou.

The Education Crisis in CAR

The Central African Republic is one of the most difficult places in the world to be a child.

“The education infrastructure has been devastated. One million children are out of school. Those living with disabilities are among the most affected due to stigma and lack of specialized support.”

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) recently expanded its resilience program in CAR.

“Together with our partners, ECW is ensuring the inclusion of disability across all our education investments in emergencies and protracted crises, while also supporting targeted interventions to overcome the specific barriers faced by girls and boys with disabilities in crisis contexts,” said Yasmine Sherif, ECW Executive Director.

To date, 536,000 crisis-affected children in the Central African Republic have benefited from quality education support through ECW’s investments.

Source : ONU Info

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