Children with Disabilities Programme

The Children with Disabilities (CWD) Programme of Misean Cara is a three-year initiative (2023–2026) supported by the US-based GHR Foundation that aims to strengthen how communities in Africa support and include children with disabilities.

The programme builds on nine existing projects led by five Misean Cara member organisations in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and South Africa, which are primarily supported through Misean Cara funding from Irish Aid. The participating Misean Cara members are:

• Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SSHJM)
• Daughters of Charity (DCSVP)
• Missionary Sisters of the Assumption (MSA)
• Franciscan Missionary Sisters of St Joseph (FMSJ)
• Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM)

By learning from the experience of these members and their projects, the programme is working to strengthen approaches to disability inclusion, develop practical models of good practice, and share lessons across the wider Misean Cara network and beyond. It also works with partners such as Catholic Care for Children International to advance disability inclusion and family-based care reform.

Ultimately, our goal is to help ensure that children with disabilities and their families are better supported to participate fully in their communities and to realise their rights.