Disability no barrier to sports

University Teaching Hospital Special School, Lusaka, has around 150 pupils who are also joined by some from the school for the deaf and hard of hearing. The school caters for pupils with a variety of disabilities ranging from mental to physical conditions. Teachers at the school have been happy to see improvements in their physical education programme with the involvement of volunteers.

Lilian, a teacher at the school, has noticed the positive changes in the pupils through participating in P.E lessons. Some of the children have shown particular developments in their physical, emotional and mental health.

“Some of the children get very frustrated in class but as soon as they come outside for P.E they are happy. When they see the students coming they run out of their lessons and shout ‘Teacher! It is time for P.E!’ ”

The children greeted the IDEALS volunteers with hugs and handshakes and were very excited about starting their lesson. What was immediately obvious was how all of the children were keen to get involved despite their disability. Every child was eager to take part and no one was left out.

Lilian also explained that the games the children play have been helping them cope with their disabilities. A pupil who was once unable to use his hands can now catch and hold a ball and join in with games. The combination of physiotherapy and encouragement to participate in sports has been instrumental in the boy’s increased use of his hands.

Some of the children had been having problems with anger- lashing out at their peers and teachers but since becoming active in their P.E lessons their actions have calmed. Through games and playing together the pupils have learned to act respectfully to each other and work together in games.

Ifiok Archibong, IDEALS student, enjoys helping at the school and has also noticed the effect on the children:

“Some of the children found it hard to join in with the games to begin with but they soon joined the group when they saw how much fun their friends were having. What’s good about the games we play is that all of the children can take part no matter what their disability is.”

Making the games inclusive has been an integral part of the P.E lessons as it is the children who struggled most to begin with who have shown the biggest improvements. Lilian named a number of children who never used to interact with the others and may have felt isolated but who now are the most enthusiastic about the P.E lessons.

What’s evident in the P.E class is that the children really enjoy the class and love spending time outside of the classroom with their peers. The grounds the children play on may not be the best but they don’t seem to mind as long as they get to participate with their peers and the volunteers.