Special Needs Students at Chipembi Farm College

Michael Kraft (TTL'09) on July 24th, 2009

Besides programs for post-secondary students and local farmers, Chipembi Farm College has a specific program for students with special needs.  Since 1990, the farm college has offered an intensive three-year program for Special Needs students that focus primarily on practical farming instruction, with 10 percent of time spent in the classroom.  After a period of assessment, three dedicated teachers take the students through various farm tasks like composting, gardening, livestock management, and even accounts management. Special Needs students are taught to maintain their own gardens, as well as work together in a shared garden.

(Left to right) Students Mercy Fwachi Zimba (background), Helen Muwana, Mary Kaizer, Silas Hangili (foreground), Kakoma Namangolwa, Suzyo Mphande, and Lubinda Liseteli working in their shared garden

Student Kabungo Chanda with his garden

As the students progress, the teachers do their best to align the students with tasks that match their abilities and interests.  Most students are able to graduate the special needs program with all of the skills necessary to live on their own in rural Zambia.

Seated left to right in the foreground, students Kakoma Namangolwa, Mercy Fwachi Zimba, Suzyo Mphande, Helen Muwana in class, with Principal Samba and his son Paul in the background

Student Mary Kaizer with her garden

Student Lubinda Liseteli with his garden

Because the students need intensive and individualized training—which often includes basic life skills, English language skills, and reading—the program is only able to enroll 10 students every three years.  Due to poverty and misconceptions regarding their abilities, their families often abandon Special Needs students.  Compared with other students that Chipembi Farm College serves, the Special Needs students require the most help but arrive with fewest resources.  As there is no government funding or other specific external support for the program, the farm college can only address a fraction of the need at the present time.

Student Mary Kaizer in her dormitory room

Student Songolo Musole in his dormitory room

External view of a dormitory cottage for Special Needs students.

In addition to increased funding to allow the special needs program to serve more students, one of the most pressing needs at Chipembi Farm College is dedicated transportation for the Special Needs students.  With dedicated transportation, staff could take them on visits to surrounding farms, greatly expanding their exposure to different aspects of rural life.

In a later post, I’ll feature one of the recent graduates of the special needs program, who is a remarkable individual living and working independently in the community.  As you’ll soon see, this program really works.

Tags: Chipembi Farm College, Michael Kraft, Special Needs Students, Zambia