In the sun scorching heat of South Sudan, Achol Mary rolls her new wheelchair to the health center. Her baby is on her back and needs to be given injections to fight malaria.
Achol was born disabled and could not walk. Before she was provided a wheelchair, she would scuttle around on her knees or use a walking stick to support her while standing or moving to higher ground. This severely affected her childhood as she could not run around and play with the other neighborhood children. She faced discrimination and did not have access to the opportunities other children had. Often left home alone and without anyone to interact with, she was lonely.
In 2020, as part of the Education Cannot Wait (ECW)-funded Multi-Year Resilience Programme in South Sudan, community mobilizers reached out to Achol and other people living with disabilities. The funds provided an opportunity to receive assistive devices. For Achol, this meant she could receive a wheelchair, giving her access to many services previously out of reach.
“From that moment, my heart was filled with joy’’ Achol said.
The improved mobility from her wheelchair has given Achol greater access to services like education and health. She now attends school regularly and is catching up on missed time. This has also improved her relationships with other pupils, who are often keen to give her a friendly push. Thanks to the wheelchair and ECW’s support, she was able to pass her exams and gain promotion from grade 5 to grade 6.
In accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 4, inclusive and equitable quality education must be ensured and lifelong learning opportunities must be promoted for all. Providing inclusive quality education for children with disabilities in emergencies is a top priority for ECW. The Fund ensures that its programmes meet the requirements of children with disabilities by including targeted interventions while ensuring the whole intervention portfolio is accessible and considers the requirements of children with disabilities.
In South Sudan - in addition to supporting Achol with a wheelchair and others with various assistive devices - funding has gone toward fitting classrooms with disability ramps and making new water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) facilities accessible as well.
The ECW Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) in South Sudan supports a holistic package of interventions. Save the Children International, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Finn Church Aid (FCA) as grantee agencies work together with 17 Implementing Partners to ensure that the project objectives are achieved working across 6 States in South Sudan – under the leadership of the Ministry of General Education and Instruction.
Partners -including the Universal Network for Knowledge and Empowerment Agency (UNKEA), Peace Corps Organizations (PCO) and World Vision- focus on increased access to learning opportunities, improved quality and continuity of education, enhanced school safety, mental health, psycho-social support, gender and inclusive education.
The International Day of Persons with Disability (IDPD) was commemorated at Freedom Square in Kuajok Town in Warrap State. Support for the public commemoration was delivered by ECW Implementing Partners with a huge turn out of 11 schools and the public at large, including adults living with disabilities who are members of National Disability Organization – Kuajok.
Achol and other people with disabilities still face barriers to access in their communities. During the rainy season, roads are often impassable due to flooding or mud. For others, many services, such as health and education, are still restricted. She calls for increased support for people with disabilities to build a more inclusive society that is accessible for all.
Despite the challenges she has endured, Achol is grateful for the continuous support she receives from her family and the programme. Her wheelchair has greatly improved her quality of life and opened a door for her to find success.
“My wheelchair is the best gift ever.”
© 2026 Education Cannot Wait
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