29/10/2019
And I made it. This was my biggest motivation to visit Africa and learn about how people challenged with autism are supported in Zambia. Today was spent at the Caleb Centre For Children with Autism the FIRST education establishment of its kind in the Central province of Zambia set up in 2016. Set up by Caleb's mother Nellie Tembo to be a safe place for her son. Her story began with desperation to try to find out what was wrong with her energetic and disruptive child, repeatdly going to the doctors and being dismissed to say that there was nothing wrong with her son. It wasn't until a passing muzungo (white person) came to visit her house and see her son acting out of the 'norm'. The Dutch girl conversed with a doctor friend back in the Netherlands and by observation over Skype for an hour told Nellie Caleb might have autism spectrum disorder. She finally got an official diagnosis from a high up doctor in Zambia and has since then learned from online sources how to support a child with autism. There is NO help in this country as knowledge about this cognitive condition is not known. There are plenty of stories to talk about the witch doctors 'healing'
People with disabilities within communities, the stories involve plenty of induced pain on the 'sick' person to rid them of disease.
Victoria Banda Candy Cool and I arrive to the center early after a three hour drive from Lusaka initially impressed by great garden space outside the decent size building and a successful vegetable garden being grown. The Caleb centre is colourful and welcoming, the walls full of sensory art. I didn't realise that children were actually there as it was so quiet. Nellie gave a tour and we visit the two classrooms that had children fully engaged in sensory activities, relaxed and happy to welcome a visitor.
I listened to the successes of the centre which are highly charged in emotions of parents being desperate to find support. The children of the school were discovered through discussions at church to ask if people had children with autism hidden at home. To have a child with a disability is seen as a huge burden and shame on the in many African family culture. For Nellie to open the centre took such courage. Schooling is free in Zambia but not available for those with a physical and intellectual impairment. The Caleb Centre is funded by parents, the dedicated staff only a get small wage.
The centre takes 42 day students, 5 of them girls. Only 12 in today due to such difficulties with transport to get the children to school.
It was great to meet the children, to see hand written schedules within velcro to support now/next/later. I gentle disagreed with a poster on how to deal with Caleb's behaviour "no signing, he must use words". I had observed Caleb and his sensory seeking behaviours- fast, impulsive and only vocalising sounds. When I asked if he signs, Nellie says she doesn't know any sign language and does verbalise sound. So training was formed for that day... Sign along, PECS and the Rainbow framework.
At the end of the school day, we popped out to buy staff food as an insentive to stay for training. I delivered basic sing along training- the alphabet, colours, emotions and important words such as biscuit, thank you, please, stop and toilet. I went through the importance of using the whole 6 colours of the Rainbow Play framework for social and emotional development, sensory and fine motor play, imaganitive play, gross motor development, group activities and early language skills.
And demonstrated an irresistibly fun and engaging lesson using inspiration by .
My experience from working with skilled and inspirational colleagues at my old place of work in the UK flowed through. Geoff Lively Lu Davis Jenny Fish and Marie Layla teaching styles and ideas were shared.
I talked and spoke of how to engage autistic learners despite challenges with sensory seeking behaviours, anxiety and personal care issues.
This evening has been spent at Caleb's house, Nellie is a hero mum, not only running the Caleb Centre, being an advocate for families in Kabwe but also a mother to 3 other girls, one baby still breastfeeding. I'm in awe.
And just to add to the inconvenience, the heatwave sweeping across the country is around 42°c, there is no electricity or running water. It comes on sporadically in order to conserve power throughout the country. In addition to challenge faced daily of basic amenities, The old Kabwe lead mines finished being active in the 1990s but lead poisonings is high here and many residents suffer with respiratory problems and headaches.
This truly makes me appreciate the UK government and services for the safety and security we get as a nation.
A special mention should also go to for all the lectures at the conference that brought so much knowledge and within the PROACTSKIPR training into both Victoria's and my approach to work within special education and connecting us up
With love from Kabwe, Zambia
💜
Squidge and Pop on tour
