Promoting access to education for children

Since receiving project funds from GlobalGiving, we have conducted three awareness and engagement meetings with village chiefs, teachers, and parents of children with epilepsy in Chileka Township, Blantyre, Malawi, on March 24, April 8, and June 5, 2025. These meetings aimed to raise awareness of the rights of children with epilepsy, particularly their right to education, identify the root causes preventing some learners with epilepsy from attending school, and develop solutions to address the issue of school dropouts. A total of four village chiefs, seven primary school teachers, and thirteen parents and caregivers participated in these meetings.

Accompanying the Warriors in conducting the meetings was a child protection officer from Blantyre District Social Welfare Office based in Chileka. This officer assisted with participant communication and delivered presentations aimed at sensitizing attendees in collaboration with our team.

During the meeting with parents, we oriented them on what epilepsy is, its causes, treatment options and the demystified some of the myths surrounding epilepsy especially the idea that people with epilepsy can not go to school and stay in school.

Lessons learnt

• It was discovered that most learners with epilepsy are stigmatized.
• It was discovered that some teachers have discouraged parents from sending their child with epilepsy to school
• Parents are informed to collect their child from school every time they have a seizure hence learners with epilepsy miss out on a lot.
• There is an intermittent supply of anti-seizure medication at the health facility in Chileka forcing parents to travel 8.3 kilometers to buy or get medication from Queen Elizabeth central hospital.
• Some parents are unable to pay for school fund hence why their child is unable to attend school
• Some learners have frequent seizures when its exams time.
• Some children with epilepsy have discontinued their anti-seizure medication due to experiencing weakness when the medication is taken without food.
• It was noted that people with epilepsy’s rights are violated
• Schools do not have a safe space for students to recover following a seizure.
• Some parents deny their child access to treatment, believing that their child has been bewitched and that hospitals are unable to provide assistance.

Outcomes

• Parents were encouraged to work in collaboration with the Warriors and the child protection officer based in their community if they feel that their child’s rights are being violated.
• For the child protection officer to follow up with parents if children are taking their anti-seizure medications as they are used to.
• For Parents who are unable to pay for school fund to inform the child protection worker so that he visits their homes to confirm and then inform school authorities so that the child can be allowed to attend school.
• For school authorities to allow learners with epilepsy to stay in school after they have recovered from a seizure.
• Chiefs have requested that the Warriors enhance their awareness efforts throughout Chileka.
• Seven teachers from Chigumukile in Chileka received training in first aid for seizures.

Way forward

• For the Warriors to ensure that Chileka health facility has anti-seizure medication in stock and available for individuals with epilepsy all the time by working in collaboration with authorities.
• Conduct a livelihood project in the area to enable parents to have funds to buy food for their child with epilepsy
• Raise awareness of epilepsy among students, both those with and without the condition, by dispelling myths associated with it and informing learners, parents, school authorities, and community leaders about the negative impacts of non-adherence to anti-seizure medication.
• Encourage children with epilepsy to attend and stay in school highlighting the benefits of education
• Mobilize funds from supporters to supplement government resources for anti-seizure medications when supplies of the medication at government hospitals are depleted.
• Develop information education materials in vernacular
• To advocate that schools buy mattresses to be used as a space for learners with epilepsy to recover following a seizure

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our donors and partners for their continued support as we improve access to education for children with epilepsy.