ABSTRACT
This practical placement was done and carried out in areas of Mukono and Wakiso Districts.
Schools with children with Disabilities, children with disabilities below 18 years old. Focus Group Discussions (FGD’s) were done with children with disabilities, teachers, head teachers at the schools were interviewed as well.
My findings are that there is a number of policies the government has put in place to ensure the participation of children with disabilities (CWDS) in education. The 1995 constitution guarantees that all persons have a right to education and bars any forms of discrimination on any ground including disability.
The policy of UPE guaranties participation of CWDs in education, the education pre-primary, primary and post primary act 2008, basic requirements and minimum standards indicators for education, the education sector work place have all guaranteed participation of PWDs in education.
Some schools lacked special needs teachers and the schools which have ever had special needs teachers revealed that some of them divert to other specialities other that offering special needs education to CWDs like working with NGOs, administration at district levels and sign language interpreters with NGOs and courts of law.
Some of the interviewed special needs teaches who left the job of teaching revealed that they were not well motivated yet they carried out amore taxing job than their counterparts.
Most schools lack facilities like ramps, brails resource centre/ room.
The activities performed were guidance and counselling, community sensitization, creating awareness attending, meetings with the executive Director of YPDDF, report writing, visiting schools, mobilization so that the disabled children can work hand in hand with their counterparts. The children with disabilities were the most target o that there is limitation of discrimination among them.
As a student, this practice provides experience in areas of operation and makes me ready to offer services in future after the completion of the degree course.
CHAPTER ONE
Fieldwork is part of academic program undertaken by all students pursuing Bachelors of Adult and community education. The activity is aimed at enabling students apply knowledge, skills and attitudes gained through class work and service delivery or environment.
The student started her fieldwork on 13th June-2016st at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission, Mbalwa Namugongo. The report entails all activities carried out at the agency for the award of a degree in Bachelors of Adult and Community Education. The training at Don Bosco Children and Life Mission mainly focused on teaching and counseling children at the school.
The report presents the findings during the field work placement on the participation of children with disabilities in the education sector in Don Bosco Children and Life Mission.
1.1 The background of the organization
The Don Bosco Children and Life Mission in Namugongo is one of four Salesian communities in Uganda. It was founded to accommodate and rehabilitate street children and other vulnerable groups of young people and to help them to find their place in society.
The Centre is located in one of the suburbs of the capital Kampala. It accommodates 150 children, adolescents and young people. There are 64 pupils attending public elementary school, 52 in high school, another 29 in the technical school and a further 5 young people who are at university.
Working with marginalized youth in Uganda means dealing with a dramatic situation due to the high rate of spread of AIDS in the country. In Namugongo the Salesians host young people who are HIV-positive and others who have been orphaned by the illness.
Daniel, Nathan, William, Brian and Joseph … are young people who need special attention: they must follow a balanced diet, follow a personalized therapy to control the virus and follow a path of psychotherapy to help them to cope with it.
For them the Don Bosco Missions Association of Turin has developed a global service programme that will allow them to continue to live a regular life of study and will give them hope for the future.
Objectives of fieldwork.
To motivate confidence, creativity for capacity building in the student regarding professional growth as practical of act.
To enhance the students interpersonal skills and working in relations with wide range of categories of people.
1.2 Mission
The mission at Don Bosco Missions Association is to provide a healing environment using Don Bosco’s preventive method of reason, religion and loving kindness.
1.3 Goal/ Vision
To develop a dignified youth and children with disabilities in in Uganda
1.4 Objectives
To unite all children with disabilities
To advocate for the rights of children with disabilities
To promote advocacy for youth and children with special learning disabilities.
1.5 Policies
1.5.1 The personal policy human resource.
The main purpose of this policy is to provide guide lines to all YPDDF employees in carrying out their main duties, responsibilities and obligations of the organization. It sets recruitment, procedures, appointments, salaries and other monetary benefits transfers, staff appraisal development and also working hours.
1.5.2 Child protection
This provides guidelines on how to protect the children especially CWDs on how to stop child exploitation and abuses which are not tolerant and attract displinary and commercial functions as well as penalties under the Ugandan law
1.5.3 Financial policy
This states that there should be transparency in all financial transactions and segregations of duties must adhere proper and timely accountability of funds amongst the staff members
1.5.4 Capacity building policy
YPDDF supports staff development. It provides courses like driving, rehabilitation, and economic management and workshops on matters relevant to an employees’ work.
1.6 Programmes
YPDDF has four program’s areas which include human rights advocacy, inclusive education, children rehabilitation, and economic empowerment but the main focus will be put on inclusive education which allows CWDs to participate freely in mainstream schools.
1.7 Findings
YPDDF as an organization gets money/ funds from the government of Uganda through special grants and also from international countries like Denmark, USA, and Netherlands.
1.8 organizational structure.
Our Mission
Don Bosco Hall is a private non-profit agency, which provides supportive human services to enhance the quality of life for youth, and their families residing in the Metropolitan Detroit-Wayne County Community.
Our Vision
Don Bosco Hall will utilize the most effective therapeutic modalities and interventions available to achieve the desired outcomes for the client populations it serves. The agency’s service delivery systems will focus on family reunification, youth rehabilitations, youth protective service, mentorship, recreation and preparing youth with the interpersonal, technological and educational skills which enhance their ability to reach their greatest potential. The agency will collaborate with other community organizations and business to provide an effective network of services to the local community. Don Bosco Hall is committed to advocate an effective for social and child welfare policy reforms and practices that will have supportive outcomes for youth and families. All of Don Bosco Hall’s services will carry out the Catholic Charities/ Archdiocese of Detroit’s mission of effective professional and Christian social services to respond to human needs through direct service and advocacy.
Our History
Don Bosco Hall was founded by the Rev. John J. Finnegan, pastor of St. Patrick Church in 1954. The agency is named for St. Don Bosco, a Roman Catholic priest who was canonized in 1934. He is known for his work among the youth in Turin Italy, in the last century.
Since 1954 Don Bosco Hall has worked to establish family relationships and has touched the lives of over 50,000 children. Don Bosco Hall is dedicated to keeping youngsters out of trouble by keeping them occupied and off the streets.
Don Bosco Hall serves over 2,500 youth and their families annually through a variety of programs.
*Don Bosco Hall is accredited through the Council on Accreditation (COA), and is licensed through the State of Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services.
Services
Residential Programs
Provides housing and comprehensive therapeutic services for youth (12 to 18 years of age) who require a structured environment due to behavioral and emotional difficulties.
Don Bosco Hall’s Community Resource Center
Empowering children, youth and their families to reach their fullest potential through targeted supportive services, programs and youth development activities.
Supervised Independent Living Program
Provides supportive services for older teenagers who need assistance as they prepare for independence. Services in the areas of employment, career planning, interpersonal skills and housing are provided.
Transitional Living Programs
Provides unique and innovative approaches to assist young people in becoming independent and self-supportive (e.g. – employability skills, job placement, life skills and financial management).
Community Enrichment Programs
Provides preventative services to children and youth through community counseling, tutoring, recreation and cultural arts services.
Don Bosco Hall’s Eagle Program
The DBH Eagle Program is an intensive, short-term intervention for adjudicated male-youth. The goal of the program is to assist young men and their families in successfully returning the youth home, if possible or securing the most appropriate setting upon program completion.
