HARGEISA, March 26, 2007 – Somalia and Somaliland remain some of the most dehumanized states in the world. This has been due to war that has lasted for almost sixteen years. This is not made better by the harsh climatic conditions and the prevailing poverty of the populace. Several years after many countries have federal legislation that relate directly to individuals with disabilities particularly with children and the youth, these countries are yet to get their footing right.

It took a strong man and an arc saw to cut loose the padlock on Abdi Hafid’s leg. Scenes like these are a common occurrence in the school.

IAS through Hargeisa School for the Special Needs (HSSN) has been acting courageously in advocating for the rights of the handicapped children nationally. The agency has been strengthening the capacity of the local actors especially Somaliland Association of Special Education to offer and coordinate the rights of these children.

The awareness begins with the mind of the parents who for a long time have believed it is a curse to have mentally handicapped children. The community too needs to be de-traumatized to erase the hostile past and accept the children the way they are.

The project in Somaliland has focused on increasing education opportunities for children with special needs through inclusion. This has been done through creating more awareness, training more teachers and other personnel in education and creating facilities on special needs education.

In most cases children with special needs will be chained at home days with out end. Abdi Hafid whose picture appears above had his mother divorced when the father realized he was mentally challenged child. After some time his mother too deserted him and he had to live with an aunt who chained him permanently to a post at home. Eventually his father took him but the story of the chains continued.

It was a great joy for Abdi when he was admitted in Hargeisa School for Special needs. He had the opportunity to spend the time in school without the dehumanizing chains. There are moments when his father decides to have him spend the day at home in chains rather than go to school. Today, Abdi woke up and as his father was struggling to chain him he broke loose and ran three kilometers to school with the chain locked on is leg. He too is a target for Education for all (EFA) by 2015. We at HSSN have services designed to address the unique educational Needs like those of Abdi.

Source: International Aid Services (IAS)