Support from itinerant teachers
Sougleman cannot rely on her parents’ support alone though. She has been helped back to school through the support of an additional teacher, known as an itinerant teacher, Damipi Lamboni, trained by the NGO Humanity & Inclusion. He is a specialist mobile teacher who works in a number of schools supporting specific students with hearing or intellectual disabilities.
Damipi supports Sougleman with school work; he helps her with understanding and use of sign language, which helps Sougleman understand the concepts more clearly. He supports her at school and at home, assisting her with homework and supporting the family. He also trains Sougleman’s regular teacher in sign language, so that she can participate in class all the time, even when he isn’t there.
In addition to setting up a system of itinerant teachers, Humanity & Inclusion, with the support of Educate a Child, organizes activities focused on the child, such as the identification of out-of-school children with disabilities, support for rehabilitation and medical care, and support at school and at home.
The organization participates in capacity building activities for education stakeholders to increase knowledge on inclusive education. HI is also planning to support the Ministry of Education in Togo with the production of a handbook for the inclusion of disability in education.
Sougleman’s progress impress her family and teacher
"I am very pleased to see positive changes in Sougleman's attitude in the classroom” confirms the class teacher Koffi Kombate. “She is more involved during lessons and well included in my class. Her level exceeds that of many of the students without disabilities”.
Sougleman is one of the most talented students in her class and continues to impress both her teachers and her parents. They are all very proud of what she has been able to achieve after such a challenging time.
Nagwabe sums it up well: “My wish is that she continues and succeeds in her school career. I am very optimistic.”