A Milestone for Inclusive Education: Precious and Goodson Reach Grade 12
By Annabel Mumba
Annabel Mumba is AYC’s Donor Relations Coordinator. She is a Scholarship Fund recipient, and a graduate of Mulungushi University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Journalism), and also one of our Success Stories.
Co-written by Pamela O’Brien, African Education Program’s Development Director, who is mentoring Annabel.
For Precious and Goodson, reaching Grade 12 is more than completing another stage of school. It is a milestone that once seemed uncertain.
Both students are part of the Amos Youth Centre’s (AYC) Read for Rose Special Education Programme, which supports children with disabilities through education with individualized, student-centered learning that includes acquiring life-changing language, academic, and occupational skills. Living with hearing impairments (Deaf), their journeys have included challenges that extend beyond the classroom, including access to appropriate communication, specialised teachers and opportunities to learn.
Today, both are preparing to complete their secondary education and will become the first Read for Rose Special Education Programme students to reach Grade 12.
Precious and her mother.
Learning to Communicate and Believe
Precious joined the Read for Rose Special Education Programme when it first opened in 2019, when she was in Grade 5. At the time, she had very little knowledge of reading, writing or sign language. One of the first things she learnt was how to write her own name, a simple but yet significant moment for her.
Her mother remembers how difficult those early years had been. Precious had stopped attending school because her previous school did not have specialised teachers. As a first-time mother to a child with a disability, she also struggled with fear and uncertainty, worrying about bullying and discrimination. At the time, Precious’ parents were already dealing with discrimination from some members of the community.
Through the Read for Rose Special Education Programme, Precious was encouraged to return to school in an environment better suited to her needs. She later received an AYC scholarship in Grade 8, enabling her to attend boarding school, where she has continued her education through Grade 12. Looking back, Precious says she never imagined she would make it this far.
“I am very happy that I am in Grade 12. I never thought that I could reach this far with my education.”
For her, the journey has also been about discovering her abilities. Through AYC’s Annual Lifeskill & Leadership Camp, she developed leadership skills and is now serving as a head prefect. She enjoys Civic Education and Food & Nutrition, subjects in which she says she excels.
Her dream is to study Special Education and become a teacher and, eventually, return to Read for Rose to give back by teaching other students. She hopes to live independently while supporting her family.
A Second Chance at Education
Goodson’s journey to Grade 12 has also been one filled with challenges. He joined the special education programme after being introduced by Febby Choombe, AYC’s Director of Special Education. Before this opportunity, Goodson had spent years at home because his family could not find a suitable school for him and could not afford the cost of boarding school while caring for ten children.
Goodson received a graduation certificate from AYC’s Urban Farming & Permaculture Learning Space
His mother remembers the uncertainty of those years, including concerns about his access to education, learning sign language and the possibility of bullying.
The Read for Rose Special Education Programme opened a new opportunity, Goodson received an AYC scholarship in Grade 8 and was able to attend boarding school. The support meant that he could focus on his education without his family carrying the full burden of school fees and groceries.
“I don’t worry about my school fees or food at boarding school because AYC supplies everything for me. My only focus is school,” he says.
He particularly values the tutoring programme and the teachers who support him. He enjoys English, Mathematics and Food & Nutrition and hopes to pursue a degree after Grade 12, potentially in Computer Science because of his interest in computers and gadgets.
He also wants to give back to the place that gave him a second chance at education. During his gap year, he hopes to return to AYC and teach students, continuing the cycle of support that has helped him reach this point.
Febby Choombe stands proudly with her students.
More Than a Scholarship
For both students, the support from AYC has extended beyond financial assistance. Febby explains that students in the Read for Rose scholarship programme have access to schools that can better cater to their needs, as well as specialised teachers, sign-language interpreters and tutoring. The scholarship support covers fees for the boarding school and groceries, helping remove some of the barriers that could otherwise prevent students from continuing their education. During school breaks, Precious and Goodson return to AYC to receive individualised classes to supplement their learning and prepare them for examinations.
For families, the impact has been significant. Precious’ mother describes seeing her daughter reach Grade 12 as a dream come true. She says the family once feared that her disability meant she might not achieve much, but today they have renewed hope for her future.
Febby recalls that when Precious and Goodson joined the programme, they lacked the communication and learning skills they needed to succeed in school. She began by helping them develop those skills, build confidence, and imagine what their futures could hold.
Their progress, she says, demonstrates what can happen when children with disabilities are given the opportunity and support to reach their potential.
“Watching Precious and Goodson reach this far in their educational journey has given me so much hope and pushed me to do more. When we first started the programme, we never imagined such success. Seven years later, Read for Rose is recording its first high school graduates – it is a dream come true.”
