Youth Mentors with disabilities lead community mobilisation against misunderstanding, stigma, and isolation of persons with disabilities. Their role in amplifying voices of children and youth with disabilities to local leaders and decision-makers is also vital to obtain support and changes necessary for their social and economic integration.
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 did not know how to support her, and difficult paths from home often caused her to arrive late or miss school altogether, affecting her self-esteem and academic performance.
Save the Children, in partnership with Uwezo Youth Empowerment, a local partner organisation, is implementing the European Union-funded project “Strengthened Accountability for the Realisation of the Rights of Children and Youth with Disabilities” in three districts in Rwanda. The project strengthens the capacity of the community-based youth mentors with disabilities to empower them to identify children with disabilities and with difficulties like Alice*, engage their parents, local leaders, community structures and school administrators to advocate for their full rights.
Partnering and building the capacity of youth mentors is making an impact in the lives of children with disabilities through raising concerns and advocating for the rights of these children to be realised.
Youth Mentors with Disabilities Raise concerns of the Vulnerable children with Disabilities
In 2024, following advocacy by these mentors, Kirehe district provided medical support to correct Alice*’s leg deformity.
“After identifying Alice*, we saw that she needed immediate medical attention and successfully advocated for her at the district level,” said Kalisa*, a Youth Mentor with disability.
Alice*’s parents also received financial support from the National Social Protection Program, which they used to buy a cow that enables them to provide school kits and hygiene kits for her. “Their advocacy helped me receive a cow, which later produced a calf. I sold one to purchase farmland, whose harvests ensure food and essentials for Alice* and her siblings,” said Tito*, Alice’s father.
Alice*’s favourite subject is Math, and she aspires to be a doctor in the future. Alice* is optimistic about achieving her dreams now that her legs have been corrected to a normal alignment, allowing her to walk, run, and play normally with her friends. This has improved her social skills with peers and her academic performance.
“Every day, I leave home at 6:00 AM and arrive at school on time, which helps me learn efficiently and perform well in class,” said Alice*.
Despite progress in helping children with disabilities reach their potential, children like Alice* still face major challenges from poverty, social stigma, and negative societal attitudes
“I regularly face challenges of a lack of school kits,” said Alice*
Save the Children, in partnership with Uwezo Youth Empowerment, a local partner organisation, is implementing the European Union-funded project “Strengthened Accountability for the Realisation of the Rights of Children and Youth with Disabilities” in three districts in Rwanda. The project strengthens the capacity of the community-based youth mentors with disabilities to empower them to identify children with disabilities and socio-economic difficulties like Alice*, engage parents, local leaders, community structures and school administrators in advocating for the children’s full rights.
Through the project, 137 children and youth with disabilities, of those 55.4 % girls, accessed vital services in 2025: social protection reached 48 children, 35 gained education support, 23 received healthcare, and 25 secured civil documents. Through home visits, 881 parents and caregivers enhanced their knowledge on the rights of children and persons with disabilities and informed about available services. Nearly 30,000 students, including over 300 children with disabilities, demonstrated increased awareness of the rights, abilities, and potential of children with disabilities, reinforcing that disability should not limit access to education or active participation of the children and youth with disabilities in socio-economic activities of their communities.
