Shattered Dreams for Families and Children with Disabilities in Malawi
In Malawi, where poverty is widespread, education is often seen as the only path toward a better future. Education is more than just reading and writing—it is a doorway to opportunity. It is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and giving children a chance to dream and achieve. USAID’s programs not only focused on providing books and training teachers, but they also ensured that every child, regardless of their ability, had the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a life of dignity.
Malawi heavily depends on international development partners for support in education, health, nutrition, and many other development activities. For years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a lifesaver for the majority of Malawi’s children, including those with disabilities. The Agency has played a crucial role in ensuring that children, especially those with disabilities, have access to quality education. Since 2013, USAID has helped schools provide essential learning materials such as braille books for blind students and large print materials for those with low vision. The recent abrupt shutdown of USAID activities has caused fear, uncertainty, and devastation. Without USAID’s support, many children, especially those with disabilities, may never get the education they deserve, and their dreams of a better life may slowly fade away. For these children, this is more than just a policy change. It is the loss of hope, opportunity, and dignity.
USAID programs in Malawi
USAID has helped schools provide appropriate teaching and learning materials such as textbooks, including braille books for students who are blind and large print materials for those with low vision. It has trained teachers in supporting children to learn to read and write. This includes children with diverse needs, ensuring every child has a fair chance to learn and succeed regardless of their challenges.
The shutdown of USAID programs means that the support these children relied on is disappearing. Classrooms that once welcomed all children, including those with disabilities, may now lack teachers with the necessary skills and tools. The doors of opportunity once open for children with disabilities are slowly closing. Without proper education, children with disabilities in Malawi face a bleak future. They may be left behind and unable to reach their full potential. The dream of education, once within their grasp, is now slipping away.
The impact on education for learners with disabilities
The shutdown of USAID activities has already started to create unimaginable challenges for children with disabilities in Malawi. Some of the effects include:
1. Untrained teachers
Teaching children with disabilities requires special skills and understanding. USAID-funded activities ensured teachers received the necessary training to support all students, including those with disabilities, in the classroom. Now, without USAID’s funding and technical support, fewer teachers will receive this training. Without trained teachers, children with disabilities may feel ignored, frustrated, and isolated in the classroom. Many of them may struggle to keep up with their lessons, leading to low performance and, ultimately, dropping out of school.
2. Shortage of learning materials and assistive devices
Children with disabilities require specialized learning materials to function in school. For instance, students who are blind rely on braille books, while those with hearing impairments may need hearing aids. In addition, schools with and without Resource Centers for learners with disabilities also need assistive devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and speech-to-text technology to help children with disabilities participate fully in their education.
Without USAID’s support, many schools (especially those with Resource Centers) will no longer afford these resources. This means that children with disabilities will struggle to access education simply because they do not have the necessary tools to help them learn. Imagine a blind child sitting in a classroom with no braille books. Imagine a child with a mobility challenge unable to move around freely because their school lacks wheelchairs or ramps. These challenges will make it nearly impossible for children with disabilities to receive the education they deserve.
3. Higher dropout rates among children with disabilities
Without adequately trained teachers in inclusive teaching practices and proper learning materials, many children with disabilities may face significant barriers to education. Many families, seeing that schools are no longer prepared to support their children, may choose to keep them home. This will have devastating consequences, as these children will miss out on education, limiting their chances of finding employment and living independent lives in the future.
For parents of children with disabilities, education has always been a source of hope. It has been a chance for their children to overcome barriers, develop their talents, and build a brighter future.
Conclusion
The shutdown of USAID programs is not just a financial loss—it is a human tragedy. It is a loss for the children who once dreamed of becoming teachers, doctors, or leaders. It is a loss for families who believe in a better future for their children. It is a loss for Malawi, a country striving to ensure that every child has a chance to succeed, no matter their ability. The world cannot afford to turn its back on these children. The loss of USAID’s funding should not mean the loss of these children’s futures. Governments, organizations, and individuals must step forward to fill the gap left by this shutdown.
Children with disabilities in Malawi deserve more. They deserve trained teachers who understand their needs. They deserve schools that provide the materials and support necessary for them to learn. They deserve a society that includes them, values them, and gives them the same opportunities as every other child.