Finding ways to educate the disabled in Pakistan | Education for all | DW.DE | 21.05.2012

Finding ways to educate the disabled in Pakistan | Education for all | DW.DE | 21.05.2012:

Many disabled children in Pakistan feel as though they are a curse from God. For fear of marginalization, they remain hidden away at home and have few educational opportunities. An aid organization wants to change that.

Naeem Ghani had the chance to see what often remains hidden in Pakistan through his job as director of medical clinics located in a number of local cities and villages. When patients came to see him for treatment, some brought along their disabled children - children otherwise concealed from neighbors' eyes out of shame. Religious conservatives in Pakistan view disabilities as God's punishment for wrongdoing.

Naeem Ghani and his team offered families with disabled children free treatment and medication. But medical support is far from sufficient for improving disabled people's chances for a better life - for more participation and inclusion - in Pakistani society.