WHY STRIVING FOR INCLUSION

Striving for Inclusion Community Interest Company (C.I.C.) was founded based on my life experience and profound dedication to reading, education, and creativity. From my early years in Senegal to my life and work in Europe, my experiences have shaped my view, and understanding of the transformative power of inclusive education, tailored support and specialised assistance.

Early Years in Senegal: A Strong Bond

Growing up in Senegal, I had a strong feeling of community bond where my grandparents deeply influenced my life. Grandma is simply a love; my grandpa was a kind man. As if we were all one family, I remember going to several locations with my small brother, playing with other kids, sharing food and clothes with them, and helping one other. We grow up feeling life is without a single shadow of discrimination or insulation. They were Talibes among us, children who lived and went to traditional Daharas (Quranic schools).

However they were not always given the same opportunities and possibilities.  these young people shared my passion to learn and curiosity. Their lives sometimes lacked books, educational supplies, even a safe place to study. Still, the situation around children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) really caught my interest.

Basically, SEND did not exist in a comparable way that it does in Europe. These children were often hidden, left alone or abandoned; they did not get any extra support. It was more about an absence of knowing what to do, specialised help, or educational and developmental possibilities. Their was love from the family, however, they struggle to include those kids.

I knew this was unfair and something was lacking at the time I was a small child witnessing their clear passion for involvement, I considered that these kids deserved the chance. These observations and social events developed in me a strong sensitivity and a will to influence change in many circles. I have carried that conviction and ultimate feeling with me ever since, and it serves as one of the motivations behind Striving for Inclusion.

Experiences in Europe: A New Perspective on Education

I discovered a different approach to schooling and education when I moved to Europe. For me, schools were places where kids are given more possibilities to grow creatively, independently and emotionally in addition to places for intellectual development. Children were excelling academically and loving the process. They were learning by play, they were having practical projects and artistic expression. My educational experience here highlighted interaction, reflection, personal growth, and involvement, in contradiction to the focus on memorisation and discipline typical of my home country. Also, I appreciated the value of mental health and well-being in children and their families represents a significant area of interest.

Schools showed their active care for children's emotional well-being by providing tailored support, counselling services, and safe environments where kids might communicate their feelings without being afraid of judgment or repression. Teachers came to observe; for me, a child's performance reflected their contentment, confidence, and feeling of identity as much as their grades. This experience contrasted significantly with my childhood in Senegal, where mental health issues in children were rarely acknowledged, and emotional difficulties were frequently ignored or misinterpreted. Despite the positive impact of this support, my children experienced bullying and exclusion several time, indicating that the establishment of inclusive environments remains challenging still in Europe.

I also saw how children with SEND received tailored, needs-based help. They have the assistance, support, and resources they need to be successful and to express themselves, not abandoned. This was a great realisation for me that reinforced my belief that, given appropriate support, encouragement, and chances, all children may succeed depending on our definition of success.

Seeing these differences made me consider attentively children's educational experiences back home. If they give the same chance, the same encouraging surroundings, and the same focus on their overall well-being, I could only wonder just what they could do.

This disparity strengthened my commitment to found Striving for Inclusion to close the gap between these two worlds and provide more inclusive where needed and build and make endless awareness campaigns as well. So caring educational support to the most underprivileged learners back home becomes a responsibility.

Professional Journey

I have devoted my professional life to working in SEND schools, holding a Diploma in Education and Training with a SEND specialisation. I have been able to observe personally the significant influence that tailored assistance has on student’s development and accomplishments because of this profession. Experiencing these learners to make such amazing improvements confirmed my belief in the value of specialised teaching methods and approaches.

Establishing Striving for Inclusion C.I.C.

Inspired by these encounters, on August 14, 2024, I established Striving for Inclusion C.I.C. in Leeds, England FIND-AND-UPDATE.COMPANY-INFORMATION.SERVICE.GOV.UK. While serving children and parents with SEND in Senegal, our organisation is dedicated to helping young people in our local  community by conducting reading initiatives and kid-friendly events. By offering  adequate resource, sharing good practices, we wish to close the gap separating these two domains and promote inclusive education.

To enhance cultural connections, we encourage young people to READ, LEARN AND WONDER, by organising a book club and fairy tales, especially African folktales in Leeds. As a way to promote creativity and skill development, we also provide interactive learning games like Wure, Sudoku, Scrabble, Chess, and Wax Wolof in addition to arts and crafts classes.

More specifically for the Talibés who largely lack access to basic treatments, our team provide SEND awareness programs, one-to-one parental consultation and support, and financial aid for medical care in Senegal.

Combining these projects will help us to create an engaging environment that supports cross-cultural understanding and develops the growth of young people.

In Senegal:

• We assisted children with cerebral palsy with their continuous medical travels and provided wheelchairs;

• We have also given parents practical guidance  to parents and enabled them negotiate their children's needs and special assistance in 55 individual sessions.

• One of kids, we offered his first wheelchair, he is 9 years old.

• We have offered an educational curriculum timetable programme to Enfants Soleil, a well-known SEND institute in Senegal dedicated to inclusive education and the well-being of children and their parents (www.enfantsoleilmonde.org), offering workshops and hands-on support.

• To ensure that children with special needs are not left behind, we have extended our aid to Daharas by providing ongoing medical treatment and increasing awareness about learning disorders, difficulties and disabilities. We are currently supporting a child who has lost vision in one eye, helping them recover sight in both eyes through medical treatment and care.

This collaboration with Daharas, which focusses on delivering medical treatment and promoting awareness of learning disorders, reflects our fundamental mission to guarantee that even the most disadvantaged children receive the support and resources needed to ensure their academic and social achievement.

Our Perspectives

Every child, in our humble view, has an education right. Our guiding concept at Striving for Inclusion is "Nurturing Diversity and Cultivating Unity." We believe everyone's educational experience depends on the acceptance of people with various backgrounds and learning styles. Our goal is to create environment in which every child feels valued, supported, and ready to attain their best possible future.

Looking ahead

Our journey is driven by empathy, love, loyalty, and will. Our goals are to continually be identifying innovative approach to better serve our communities, expand our mission, and enhance our initiatives. By encouraging inclusive teaching strategies, we intend to make a long-lasting impact on the life of children in Senegal and the communities we serve.

Furthermore, the foundation of Striving for Inclusion C.I.C. shows that, with the right support and opportunities, every child can thrive depending on their specific needs. Our initiatives are meant to be a hope lighthouse and an agent for change in the field of inclusive education.

Inspired by our work? Learn more about how you can support Striving for Inclusion by visiting www.strivingforinclusion.com or contacting us at info@strivingforinclusion.com.

Coura Gueye

Founder and Director