Back to School: How Kupenda Impacts Childhood Education

This back-to-school season, we celebrate the numerous lives that have been impacted by your educational support! Kupenda supporters and staff have made it possible for hundreds of children with disabilities, like Philip, to access high-quality education while also supporting the staff and infrastructure of their schools. Over the past year, this includes:

Globally, 98% of children with disabilities do not attend school. Through, Kupenda’s education program, however, Philip is just one example of a child who was able to find success. With the right support, Philip has been able to eliminate barriers that once stood in the way of him reaching his potential.

An Uncertain Beginning

A bright 6^th grader, Philip was not always hopeful about his future. Born with brittle bone disease, he often experienced pain and discomfort due to frequent bone fractures.

As a result of cultural stigma, many people in his community believed disabilities were caused by a curse and had difficulty accepting him. Even his parents blamed themselves and struggled to embrace him with a disability.

When Kupenda staff began to work with his family, however, his parents learned that Philip’s disability was not their fault, what was needed to care for him properly, and that he had a right to an education.

A Promising Future

Today Philip is enrolled at school and is performing at the top of his class. He is particularly gifted in math and science and is often found helping students who are struggling. He dreams of one day assisting others by becoming a doctor.

Today his parents continue to marvel at his gifts, which they believe became more evident after he started going to school. His father stated:

“Initially I was struggling to accept my child’s condition and was blaming myself for having a child with a disability. But with … education support, my attitude changed. [Philip] is a child with lots of potential that would not have been discovered if he was not taken to school.”

In his spare time, Philip also enjoys doing artwork and beadwork. At home, he has four friends whom he has been coaching to make colorful bracelets. His talent in beading makes him popular in his community. He uses the money he receives from bracelet sales to buy toiletries for school.

His parents report that his gifts continue to surprise them, including his ability with mechanics. His father stated:

“Whenever my small radio is not functioning, he [Philip] can dismantle it, fix it, and make it function again. That amazes me and makes me reflect on the goodness of God in my child!”

Because Philip was given an opportunity, he is able to demonstrate to the world that disability is not inability. Receiving an education and discovering his gifts has been a vehicle which not only brings him fulfillment but delights his entire community. His father concluded:

“I am happy, love my child, and love myself. May God continue to bless Kupenda.”

This school year, would you consider helping another child like Philip access an education and discover his or her gifts? It could open the door to untapped potential that benefits us all!

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