Lead Writer- Yusuf Mustapha
Children affected by conflict and displacement face barriers to learning. For children with disabilities, these challenges become even more burdensome. To ease these burdens, Save the Children Nigeria, in partnership with Education Cannot Wait, with funding support from the Government of Japan, provides assistive devices, learning materials, dignity and hygiene kits to children with disabilities.
Nana*, a young girl, has a mobility issue that affects her ability to walk. Without a wheelchair, she struggles to walk, attend school regularly, and take part in activities with other children. Teachers worried about her safety. The head teacher told her mother it was too risky for her to continue coming to school. Her mother recalls the pain of watching her daughter stay home while other children learned. Her mother said:
Each time I saw my daughter at home during school hours, my heart broke. I cried many nights because I did not know how to help her.
Nana* and her mother Yusuf Mustapha
Nana* received a wheelchair, and with it, she could go to school safely with her classmates. Her mother said,
With this wheelchair, I believe Nana* will go back to school and continue learning. I am grateful to the Government of Japan and Save the Children for giving my daughter the chance to learn again.
Garba* can now actively participate in class with a hearing assistive device
For Garba*, he struggled to hear his teachers. He often missed key lessons and fell behind. Garba* received a hearing aid and now, he can actively participate in class, his father said: “I believe with this hearing aid my son will do better"...
Garba* and his father Yusuf Mustapha
Salamatu* received a wheelchair after relying on others to move.
Salamatu* had been relying on others to move about and get to school. Things changed when she received a wheelchair; this brought back her confidence and dignity. She said,
Now I can play with my friends and participate fully in class. I feel strong and confident.
Salamatu* and her friends Yusuf Mustapha
Now I go to school every day. I read my books. I feel strong again.- Ali*
Ali* is one of 30,000 children who received learner and hygiene kits. He also received crutches to support his mobility. His leg injury had made walking difficult. With the crutches, Ali* can now walk safely to school and continue his education. He is in school. The materials given to him were to encourage and support his learning.
Ali's* mother said: "these supports changed my son’s life".
What are LEARNERS' Kit
Learners’ kits include educational materials such as exercise books, pencils, an eraser, a backpack, and a sharpener, designed to support continuous learning for children affected by crises. The learners' kits are intended to help improve enrolment and retention while enabling children to participate effectively in classroom and community‑based learning activities.
WHAT IS hygiene kit
The hygiene kit includes items such as bathing soap, washing soap, detergent, nail cutter, comb, among other items intended to promote safe and protective learning environments by encouraging improved hygiene practices and reducing health‑related risks.
Ali* and his mum Yusuf Mustapha
The Integrated Emergency Education Response in Northwest Nigeria project, funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and implemented by Save the Children in collaboration with partners provides support to crisis-affected children across selected states in Nigeria.
The project seeks to restore access to safe, inclusive, and quality education for children affected by conflict, displacement, and climate shocks. Over 120,000 children have been reached with learning support, and over 3,000 children have been supported with assistive learning materials.
