Irafasha Patience, a person with intellectual and physical disabilities, wins a gold medal at the world level

Irafasha Patience has intellectual and physical disabilities and was raised at Izere Mubyeyi. She has achieved many things, including receiving an education and acquiring various skills. Currently, she is one of the athletes representing others at the international level in the sport of Boccia/Bacer, in which she won a gold medal.

Irafasha Patience plays boccia. She first played the sport in Rwanda, where she was given a ticket to compete in Abu Dhabi and returned with a silver medal. After coming back to Rwanda, she was awarded another ticket to continue participating in other competitions. In 2023, she competed in Germany and won a gold medal. There are other competitions she is expected to participate in, although the host countries have not yet been confirmed.

Irafasha says that a child with a disability who plays sports serves as an example to others. She states: “Children with disabilities are children like any others; they are capable. Do not exclude them. Even though some children may have limitations, there are things they can achieve. Therefore, let us protect them from discrimination and ensure it never happens again. A child with an intellectual disability or any other disability is a child like any other.”

She adds that there are other activities carried out at Izere Mubyeyi, such as making shoes. She also encourages parents of children with disabilities to bring them to Izere Mubyeyi so they can receive support.

Twahirwa Innocent, who lives in Busanza Cell, Kanombe Sector, is a parent whose child is enrolled at Izere Mubyeyi. He has a daughter whom he loves and who loves him in return. He explains that at the daycare she previously attended, there was no program that could help her progress further. He then took her to Izere Mubyeyi because they offer two programs.

He said: “She arrived as a girl who was afraid to speak to people except me. But as time went on, I began to see that she was gaining confidence, especially in speaking, which was her main challenge. Today she speaks, studies in French, and I even hear her say words I never thought she would be able to say. She tells me about the songs they learn, the games they play, and she brings her homework home by herself so I can help her, and she does it well.”

Twahirwa continued: “For those who wonder where to take their child, I tell them to bring the child to Izere Mubyeyi because they have a program for children with disabilities and another for children without disabilities. They help them grow into everyday life and develop themselves, and it is clear that they can achieve something just like other children.”

Twahirwa urges parents to grant children with disabilities the same rights as others. He says: “Whether it is a child, a mother, or a father, no one is to blame. Just as a parent thinks about schools for children without disabilities, they should think the same way about schools for a child with disabilities. Let them bring their children out of hiding and put an end to shame.”

Mukashyaka Agnès is a coordinator at Izere Mubyeyi and also one of its founders. She herself has a child with an intellectual disability and explains how the idea began.

She says: “I was worried about how I would raise my child, but because of the community I joined called Ukwemera n’Urumuri (Faith and Light), which is based on emotions and beliefs, they taught us how we can live with these children, love them, and give them their rights. I understood all this and put it into practice: I love my child deeply and do everything possible to give her love and all her rights, including healthcare, education, and others.”

“Together with them, we decided not to keep this idea to ourselves. We engaged in advocacy among other parents and friends. Not everyone involved has children with disabilities, but there are those who care about them and want to do something to help them develop. That is why we founded this organization—to ensure that children with intellectual disabilities also have the same rights as others. Parents should not consider them a burden or a cross to bear.”

Ndayisaba Emmanuel, the Executive Secretary of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), commended Izere Mubyeyi for the progress made and encouraged them to expand the center to accommodate more children, as many children need institutions like Izere Mubyeyi. He said: “Expand, broaden your education services, and continue helping parents find places where children with disabilities and those without can access quality education.”

Izere Mubyeyi was established in 2004. The school began operating in 2006. It currently has 68 children with disabilities and is located in Kanombe Sector. Some children receive medical care, including physiotherapy (rehabilitation of body joints), before reaching school age. Those who have completed the program are 46.

For a parent to enroll a child there, they are required to contribute according to their financial capacity.

The story was written by Umukunzi Médiatrice and translated into English by AI.