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Children You Helped

649 disadvantaged children in South Africa can now succeed in school, thanks to you.

Posted December 17, 2014

Editor’s Note: Too often, children with disabilities are excluded from getting an education. Too often, their voices are ignored. But you listened. Your funding is making sure that children with disabilities have an equal opportunity to go to school and lead more independent lives.

chaeli mycroft
2013 Youth Honoree Chaeli Mycroft

Globally, less than 50% of children with a disability finish their primary education, dramatically reducing their ability to reach their full potential or grow up to lead more independent lives.

Chaeli Mycroft is changing this statistic. Born with cerebral palsy, Chaeli sees her disability as a unique opportunity to speak around the world as an “ability activist” and create a global community that accepts and embraces disability. She co-founded The Chaeli Campaign to not only ensure that children of all abilities can excel in school, but also to teach them how to embrace the unique abilities of others.

Impact of Your Funding

Last year, we honored Chaeli with our 2013 Youth Award and gave her $35,000 in grant funding to expand her impact. She used the first installment of her grant to fund The Chaeli Campaign’s Early Childhood Development program in South Africa. Made up of eight-week-long workshops, the program teaches disadvantaged children under the age of seven essential skills to succeed in elementary school.

The workshops were hosted at 21 preschools in South Africa and were attended by 649 children and their parents.

Scroll through the gallery below to meet some of the children who are now excited, prepared, and ready to succeed in elementary school and complete their education.

Chaeli Campaign
During an Early Childhood Development workshop, students learn about the value of friendship and making friends.
Chaeli Campaign
Children who take the workshops are both able-bodied and differently-abled. Here, students learn that a wheelchair is a vehicle of empowerment for a “wheelchair user”, not a “wheelchair bound” person.
Chaeli Campaign Skill Assessment
Rosemary, an occupational therapist, does an on-site assessment of a young boy’s skill level.
Learning colors at Chaeli Campaign
One of the basic concepts taught at the workshops is how to identify different colors. Here, physiotherapist Ann works with a group of students to help them learn this skill.
Storytime at The Chaeli Campaign
Chaeli watches as Olwethu, a Chaeli Campaign community worker, reads a story to the class.
Chaeli Campaign Friends
Joy and Davina, two cousins in the program, hold hands while Davina tries out her cousin’s wheelchair.

There are so many other children who still need your help. This holiday season, make a donation in the name of a loved one by visiting worldofchildren.org/holiday. 100% of your gift improves the lives of vulnerable children around the world.

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