In Dadaab’s Ifo 2 refugee camp, 11-year-old Amin, a child with special needs, has found hope and inclusion through Save the Children’s Accelerated Education Program at Kulmiye Education Centre. Once unable to access schooling due to poverty and stigma, Amin now learns alongside his peers in disability-friendly classrooms, supported with a wheelchair, transport, and trained teachers. The program, funded by ECHO and delivered through a consortium of partners, is ensuring that children with disabilities are no longer left behind, fostering equal opportunities, dignity, and brighter futures for thousands of over-age, out-of-school children in Dadaab and beyond.
Amin and his family arrived in Dadaab’s Ifo 2 refugee camp a year ago. Their makeshift shelter, barely able to withstand the rain and heat, is still being patched to make it more habitable. At 11 years old, Amin lives with his nine siblings under the care of their elder sister, Anab Hassan Mukhtar, after their father passed away and their ailing mother returned to Somalia.
In many Kenyan communities, the full inclusion of children with disabilities remains a challenging journey. These children are often hidden from society and routinely denied basic rights, including access to education. However, in Dadaab refugee camp there is a different story. At the Kulmiye Accelerated Education Center, children like Amin are learning alongside their peers, and proving that disability does not define their potential for growth and achievement.
Amin’s sister recalls the prohibitive cost of education in Somalia, where a monthly fee of $10 prevented her from enrolling Amin and his siblings at the appropriate age. Through community mobilization forums, she learned about Save the Children’s Accelerated Education Program (AEP), which offered a chance to enroll Amin and his siblings, who are already over age for the normal education curriculum.
“The organization came to us and encouraged us to bring Amin to the learning Center. They assured us that he would learn just like others and that he would receive free books, pens, and bags. When I approached the headteacher, he welcomed me warmly, and we were provided with a new wheelchair. They even arranged special transport to take him to school and back for free. ” Anab explains.
“I love my school because there are so many toys to play with, and the teachers are very kind. The other children always help me—they assist me to the toilet and during playtime. I love them all,” Amin says with a bright smile as he wheels his chair to the blackboard, where he leads the other students in reading.
Amin enjoys a playful ride on the swing at his school — moments of joy like these are not only fun but also essential for children’s learning, growth, and well-being. Samfelix Randa / Save the Children
Save the Children is dedicated to ensuring inclusion in all its education centers. This commitment is evident in the disability-friendly infrastructure, teachers trained in special needs education, and mobility resources such as wheelchairs and school transport for children with disabilities.
At Kulmiye Education Centre, the classrooms are spacious, allowing easy movement for children using wheelchairs, crutches, or walkers.
There are also ramps, wide doorways, and adjustable desks which ensure physical accessibility for all. The flexible seating options cater to various needs, including ergonomic chairs, beanbags, or standing desks.
“We have modified the classroom and learning areas so that children with disabilities can move freely around the school. We also have special toilets for these learners, and we employ three special needs teachers,” says Aden Mohamed, the headteacher at Kulmiye Education Center.
“This wheelchair was given to me by Save the Children. It helps me move from place to place at school and home. I also use it during break time when I need to go to the toilet or play,” Amin adds, expressing his appreciation for the support he receives.
Amin and his differently abled peers enjoy equal participation in school activities alongside their classmates. By creating an inclusive classroom environment, the Accelerated Education Center ensures every student feels valued, supported, and motivated. This approach allows all students to learn together, breaking down social barriers and fostering mutual understanding and respect.
Schools like Kulmiye Accelerated Education Centre also boast of special play facilities that encourage physical activity, social interaction, and sensory engagement, contributing to the overall development of children with disabilities.
Although Amin and his family still face some challenges in Dadaab, the support they have received from Save the Children's Accelerate Education Centers has reignited their dreams.
“I’m going to school so that I can study. I want to have a good future and live a good life,” says Amin.
Since 2023, a consortium led by Save the Children, including the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and local partners Rural Relief Development Organisation (RRDO), TUDO, Kuze, and FilmAid Kenya, has been promoting accelerated learning programs in Dadaab, Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps.
Supported by the European Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) grant, the program provides safe, quality, and inclusive education for over-age out-of-school children. The Ministry of Education (MOE) ensures quality assurance and teacher training, while UNHCR coordinates refugee population protection. To date, the project has supported 12,908 children (6650 boys and 6258 girls), including 311 children with disabilities, providing education, essential kits, refreshments, inclusive learning materials, and facilities.
By Samfelix Randa
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