Claudine Kayitesi, the mother of a two-year-old son, has shared some valuable insights on how parenting sessions have benefited her visually impaired child.
Kayitesi, who gave birth at an early age when she was only 17 in 2020, is the eldest born of the family of four. She lives with her parents and siblings in the village of Rubuye, Nyamiryango cell, Gatore sector, Kirehe district in the Eastern province of Rwanda.
Having given birth to a child with vision impairment at an early age has frustrated her, left her without pride as mother and distanced her from other parents.
She is one of the families who benefited from the year-long , Championing Play’ project, implemented by Umuhuza organisation in partnership with Save the children in 2022.
Parenting sessions are one of the approaches used by Umuhuza Organisation to implement the project, which aimed to equip parents with skills on how to integrate plays in their regular parenting approaches for 0-3 children.
Her story
Narrating her story, Kayitesi said she gave birth to her first child in a normal way. However, three months later, she realized that the child was suffering from optic nerve complications. “ I would take him out and show him different things, but he could not show any reaction. I consulted elders but they could not help until I went to the hospital where they confirmed q vision impairment.”
Later, it became difficult for her to accept, but over time her hope was revamped with the support of doctors. At the hospital, she found comfort in the fact that other parents were facing similar difficulties.
In 2022, Umuhuza volunteers visited Kayitesi as a mother with a disabled child. They introduced parenting sessions and how play is essential to each child’s development.
Later, she began attending weekly parenting sessions, where she met other parents.
“ After a while, when we practiced playing some instruments during sessions, I finally noticed the child’s progress. Even though he couldn’t see what was going on, he became attentive,”Kayitesi pointed out.
She went on to say that when she got home, she practiced what they learned, such as singing and playing various materials. Over time, her child would pay attention to the sound until he started shaking his body.
“ Since I took parenting sessions, things have started to improve. So far my child’s condition has improved and he can now play,” she testified.
“ Parenting sessions changed my hope as a mother. I used to be alone, but I was happy to meet other parents during the course. Save the Children and Umuhuza brought hope and happiness to my life. I am glad I can play with my child. This project has had an impact on my child’s life. His mood and body gradually changed,” the mother added.
Generally, the project’s interventions benefited parents of 1200 households in four sectors of Kirehe District including Nyamugali, Mahama, Nasho and Gatore.
Parents benefited greatly from regular parenting sessions and home visits. They learned a lot about making different toys with local materials. On a weekly basis, a total of 120 Umuhuza volunteers ( 60 men and 60 women) visited various homes and facilitate parenting sessions to instill skills in making and using locally made playing toys.
The findings have indicated that play-based learning programs for young children builds a strong foundation for their future education and helps develop a positive attitude and open-minded trait within the child. Again, through plays, children can explore, experiment and discover new things.