Joseph Odoch’s Heroic Path: Triumph Over Every Trial

In the small village of Farm, Kulakula Parish, Ngai Sub County in Oyam District, Northern Uganda, life moves at a gentle pace, with the sun rising over vast green fields. Here, a young boy, Joseph Odoch, embarks on a new chapter in his life. At just 13 years old, Odoch has already faced more challenges than many could imagine. Born with a physical disability that affected his mobility, his dream of an education seemed out of reach. 

However, through resilience, community support, and the interventions of local and international organizations, Odoch is finally returning to school. Odoch was born into a humble family in a rural community, where access to essential services, including healthcare and education, is limited due to challenging terrain. His parents, hardworking peasant farmers, have done their best to provide for their children but struggle to support Odoch’s special needs.

“From an early age, Odoch has been struggling with mobility. Unlike other children who ran freely across the fields, he needed assistance to move around,” shared Lilly Koli, Odoch’s mother. Odoch’s disability made it difficult for him to walk long distances, and the nearest school was several kilometers away, making it nearly impossible for him to attend. Despite these challenges, Odoch has always had a love for books, numbers, and stories. His determination, along with the collective effort of his community, is driving him toward a brighter future.

Odoch’s dream was simple: to sit in a classroom like other children, to learn, and to someday achieve something great. However, without mobility aids, he was unable to make the daily journey to school, while his peers advanced in their studies. According to UNICEF, about 13% of children in Uganda live with disabilities, which equates to roughly 2.5 million children. 

However, only about 5% of children with disabilities can access education through inclusive schools, while another 10% attend special needs schools, meaning the majority are excluded from education due to limited facilities and support. Odoch initially enrolled in Kulakula Primary School and was determined to overcome the odds. Every morning, kind Samaritans would help transport him to school, enduring the scorching sun and muddy roads during the rainy season. 

However, the daily struggles became too much for his mother, and Odoch was forced to drop out. It was a painful moment for both mother and son as his dreams seemed to slip away, and he found himself watching his friends walk past him in their school uniforms. For months, Odoch’s education came to a halt. He spent his days at home, longing for a chance to learn and to hope for a brighter future.

Then, just when it seemed like all hope was lost, fate took a turn. Community Focus International (CFI), in collaboration with World Vision, launched a project to support children with disabilities in rural communities of Oyam, Omoro, and Pader districts. Emmanuel Onyik, a peer educator under CFI, shared that the project’s mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of their physical condition, has access to quality education. When the CFI team visited Odoch’s village and learned about his story, they knew they had to act. They met with Odoch’s mother, listened to their struggles, and assessed his needs.

The assessment revealed that Odoch needed a specialized wheelchair that could navigate the rough terrain of the village and educational support to reintegrate into school. Within weeks, Odoch received a life-changing gift: a specialized wheelchair that granted him the freedom to move independently for the first time. His mother shared the joy on his face as he could now go outside, interact with friends, and, most importantly, return to school.

“With the support of Community Focus International and World Vision, Odoch’s hopes of continuing school have been revived,” said Dr. Nelson James Awany, Principal Physiotherapist and Clinical Psychologist at Lira Medical Center under CFI. “Odoch’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of collective effort.” Today, Odoch is not just a pupil heading to school but also a symbol of hope for his family and an inspiration to other children in his village. His dreams are alive again, thanks to the continued efforts of CFI and World Vision. 

Lilly Koli, Odoch’s mother, expressed her gratitude to the project, noting that the wheelchair is a blessing for her son. “This wheelchair has come at the right time. It will help my son move around more freely and attend school without difficulty,” she said. “As a mother, I feel relieved knowing that my child no longer has to rely on passersby or well-wishers to transport him to school." Odoch’s journey is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that communities can have when they come together. 

Through the efforts of organizations, educators, and compassionate individuals, a boy who once lost hope is now on the path to success. Lilly Koli also urged other parents with children with disabilities to unconditionally support their children and see them as blessings, rather than wish them ill. “Accessing education has been a challenge for my 13-year-old son. Now, this smile is not just a reflection of happiness, but a symbol of victory over adversity. I appeal to fellow parents to support their children with disabilities and guide them through difficult times,” she said.

In 2017, the Ministry of Education and Sports reported that 1.6% of pre-primary school students (around 9,597 pupils) had impairments, with the most common being mental impairments (28%), hearing impairments (25%), visual impairments (22%), physical impairments (16%), autism (5%), and multiple disabilities (4%). Dr. James Nelson Awany urged parents to regularly massage their children to keep them fit, noting that mobility is a crucial part of a child’s development. 

With the mobility aids provided, children with disabilities can now engage more in daily activities, improving their physical and emotional well-being. Emmanuel Onyik, a peer educator with CFI, emphasized that the wheelchair initiative strengthens inclusivity and equality for children with disabilities in the district. “As someone who works closely with people with disabilities, I know how much this means to these children and their families,” Onyik said. “We appreciate the efforts of CFI and World Vision in supporting children with disabilities in our community.” 

Christopher Atworo, Project Officer for Assistive Devices and Technology at CFI, believes that every child deserves an equal opportunity to live and thrive. “We remain committed to advocating for their rights and ensuring that they receive the support they need,” Atworo stated. Wilfred Mugume, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the HANA Project at World Vision, confirmed the dedication of World Vision to uplifting the lives of vulnerable children. 

“These wheelchairs are not just mobility aids; they symbolize freedom, dignity, and inclusion,” he said. “We appreciate all partners involved and encourage the community to continue supporting children with disabilities in every way possible.” While Uganda has many enabling policies and laws aimed at protecting children and ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, policy implementation remains weak, and insufficient resources hinder the translation of policies into services. 

Nevertheless, the government remains the main service provider for 47% of Uganda’s children with disabilities, with NGOs providing services to only 14%. The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) believes that revealing the realities of children with disabilities is the first step in laying the foundation for effective policies and services for these children in Africa.