STUTTERING: A lesson to learn from Rwanda

Tragically, thousands of young children who stutter in developing countries, including Rwanda, suffer in silence. How? and What is our new approach that we are currently using to bring about positive change?

By: Dieudonné .N, himself stutters and coordinator at the African Stuttering Center, a non-profit organization based in Rwanda that helps people who stutter in Africa. Support our Efforts (Here).

Challenge – What was the existing problem or situation?

The life of a person who stutters can often be a struggle. However, the life of a young child who stutters from disadvantaged backgrounds in developing countries, including Rwanda, is a struggle beyond imagination. And yet, most of us ignore this.

Young children who stutter are often mistreated,  intentionally or unintentionally, for having this condition.

Every child who stutters does matter. Yes!

TUZA, a young boy who stutters said, “My teacher teases me a lot in class whenever I cannot answer oral questions, and I feel embarrassed and ashamed to come to school”

In most developing countries, including Rwanda, teachers do not have a good understanding of communication disorders. Additionally, in most schools there are no speech therapists who can help students and teachers understand the problem and manage it more effectively.

Most teachers use corporal punishment when a student hesitates to answer an oral question. It’s completely illogical! We know that schools should not be places of fear and violence.

Every child has the right to live free from bullying and abuse.

Often, the students who stutter are the victims of a complete lack of understanding of their communication differences.

Actions – What did we do about the challenge?

My commitment to young children who stutter is no coincidence. When I was a young child, I was victimized because of my stuttering.

Through the African Stuttering Center, we have developed an initiative aimed at preventing and combating the harassment and victimization of young children who stutter at school. By inviting experts to train teachers.

The objective is to help teachers acquire the skills necessary to better support students who stutter in the classroom.

Build a school community that understands communication disorders by raising awareness.

We aim to end the atmosphere of humiliation in schools and change the dropout rate of young children who stutter.

Results – What outcomes did we produce?

During this year 2023, we organized two teacher trainings and 98 teachers participated.

Theme was: Teaching Strategies to Support Students Who Stutter.

The subjects (topics) were:

- What is stuttering?

-What is the cause of stuttering?

-What are therapies that Speech-Language Pathologists use to treat stutters?

-What can teachers do to support students who stutter?

In these 2 photos it was in August 2023, when 30 teachers received training on stuttering, to learn how to assist the students who stutter in the classroom. This training was provided by a graduate in Communication Sciences and Disorders from New York.

                                                                                                                Dieudonne

In these 2 photos, it was in November 2023, when 68 teachers received training on stuttering, to learn how to assist students who stutter in the classroom.

These trainings were great and effective. 

Just imagine—if only one teacher becomes aware of stuttering, how many children will have their education saved? Many children!

Every year, a teacher receives new students in their class, some of them are stutter, and these students need the teacher’s help and support.

Fighting for children who stutter is our fight.

Together, we can stand for a world where young children who stutter can live happy lives.

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PS:  Join Us On This Noble Cause and Achieving More Together:

These initiatives rely on the generosity of people. 

Please consider supporting these efforts, EVEN A SMALL contribution of $1 will go a long way toward covering the expenses associated with raising awareness and educating people about stuttering.

Contribute TODAY as much as you can. here is a link: 

For any further information, or clarification, do not hesitate to contact, Dieudonne at africanstutteringcentre@gmail.com