Save the Children Rwanda and Burundi 75d ago

Alice*, an 11-year-old Primary Four student with a physical disability, lives with her family in Eastern Rwanda. Born with bent legs due to her position in the womb, she missed out on early treatment because her family’s severe poverty prevented access to adequate medical care. At school, she was bullied by peers because of her disability. Her parents lacked knowledge on how to support her, and inaccessible roads often caused to arrive late or miss school altogether , affecting her self-esteem and academic performance. “Other children bullied me by calling me 'bendy-legs girl,' which made me feel like dropping out of school.” Alice* said Save the Children, in partnership with Uwezo Youth Empowerment, is implementing the European Union-funded project Strengthened Accountability for the Realisation of the Rights of Children and Youth with Disabilities in three Rwandan districts. The project empowers youth mentors with disabilities to identify children like Alice*, engage their parents, local leaders, community structures, and school administrators to advocate for their full rights. In 2024, following advocacy initiatives by these mentors, the Kirehe district provided medical support to correct Alice*’s leg deformity.