Monday, April 29, 2019

"Of course, I have a disability, but I am capable and strong to do things like any other person"

Written by Thein Than Tun

Teachers say 10-year-old Nan Nyein Su San is a high achiever but she used to miss lessons due to constant teasing from her classmates. “I got very angry,” remembered Nan Nyein Su San. “Sometimes I just gave the teasers a sideways stare.”

Nan Nyein Su San studying with her classmates. Photo by Sao Yan Naung

When the teasing became too much for her, Nan Nyein Su San stayed at home, and cried. “I used to just lie in bed, talking only to my mother and sister. I missed my classes and friends,” she said. Nan Nyein Su San would then ask her mother to go with her to the school to talk to both her class teacher and the child who was teasing her to “tell the child not to do so.” But it was not that simple. Nan Nyein Su San, who attends Htay Ngar Lyar School in Loikaw Township in Kayah State, was being teased by her peers because she has an artificial foot; her foot was amputated when she was very young due to a severe infection.

Her teacher, Daw Myint Thida Soe, was aware how the other students were teasing and excluding Nan Nyein Su San but she used to be at a loss of how to stop it. “I often saw her standing and gazing beside the playground at her friends playing during the break,” said Daw Myint Thida Soe.

Gradually, the situation began to improve probably due to a combination of factors: Nan Nyein Su San’s determination to continue with her education; support from her parents and the school; and a workshop provided by the Ministry of Education, with a financial contribution from the H & M foundation through the Swedish National Committee for UNICEF. The workshop focus was on how to make the school friendlier to children with disabilities. UNICEF  provided technical support.

Last year, along with 123 head teachers from Loikaw Township, Kayah State, the head teacher, Daw  Swe Swe Aye attended a UNICEF supported orientation on assisting children with disabilities. Daw Swe Swe Aye said they learnt how to create a school that is friendly towards children with disabilities as well as how to conduct similar orientations in the communities.

Soon after she returned from the head teacher training, Daw Swe Swe Aye began facilitating a series of orientations with a total of 135 parents and 230 students over three months from 2 November 2018 to 17 January 2019. Daw Swe Swe Aye said her main message to community members was: “if you find a school-aged child with a disability in the community, please send them to school; all government schools are ready to accept them.”  Daw Swe Swe Aye added some parents said, “they didn’t want to send their child with a disability to school, because they were worried the child would be discriminated against or that the child would get into trouble.” Daw Swe Swe Aye reassured them that the school will adapt to the children which meant not just facilitating learning for the children but also adapting facilities, like toilets and washrooms.

In addition, Daw Swe Swe Aye facilitated a session with Nan Nyein Su’s class. During discussions, she stressed children's rights, ethics and equality, and how any form of discrimination would not be tolerated.

Nan Nyein Su San said her classmates no longer tease her and also play with her. One of her favourite games, Nan Nyein Su San said, is “Dee-Htoo Tan.” She explained how a child must run shouting “deee……..”  without stopping from one post to another; if she stops another child can run after her. “I like the Dee-Htoo Tan game very, very much,” said Nyein Su.
Nan Nyein Su San at school. Photo by Sao Yan Naung

Her mother, who has a small grocery shop at Htay Ngar Lyar village, added that these days Nan Nyein Su San also likes to share snacks with her friends. “If I don’t pack enough snacks and fruits, she is not satisfied.”

But for Nan Nyein Su San, who is now in Grade 4, her studies are the driving force. “My dream is to become a doctor. Of course, I have a disability, but I am capable and strong to do things like any other person. One day, my dream will come true.” said Nyein Su with a confident smile.

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