Expanding Unified Champions Schools across Africa

In September 2024, Special Olympics World Center for Inclusion in Education Special Olympics Rwanda hosted the “Excellence in Action: Expanding Unified Champions Schools” workshop, with support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates, an event aimed at introducing and expanding Champions Unified Schools Programming (UCS).

First day

Youth leaders and athletes from eight Special Olympics programs across Africa gathered for the conference Excellence in Action: Expanding Unified Champion Schools (UCS) across Africa It happened. This initiative aims to spread the message of inclusion and unity across the continent, and empower youth to lead the way.

Vimbai, a youth leader, emphasized the crucial role of youth in driving change, saying: “Youth participation is not just a check box. It is an opportunity for innovation and investment. Youth can take on many roles. For youth to be at the forefront is important and influential.”

Guests of honor from the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, Rwanda School Sports Federation and Rwanda Convention Bureau attended the ceremony and joined participants in setting the tone for the three-day event.

Throughout the day, participants planned the basic steps to start Unified Champion Schools in their countries. They explored effective strategies for engaging youth leaders and learned how to train teachers to create truly inclusive environments.

Commenting on the progress that has been made since the generous contribution made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan four years ago, Charles Nyambe, President and Managing Director, Africa, said: “We would like to see true inclusion spread across Africa. We are moving forward.” To expand UCS across the continent today, four years later, look where we are now we will continue to grow.

The second day

On the second day, participants immersed themselves in unified sports during their visit to the Lycée de Kigali, a local regular school. They were joined by students from three private schools for a day filled with team building exercises and unified basketball.

After practicing their skills, the group competed in an exciting match of unified basketball, and the red team emerged victorious. Santos, a Special Olympics Namibian athlete, expressed the excitement of the day by saying, “Leading my team to the top is so good because I doubt myself, but then I start scoring. It’s fun to see how I can push the team forward.”

Beyond the game, the day was also about connecting and learning from each other. Speaking to everyone, Nelly Mukazaire, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, said: “This workshop is a great opportunity to learn from each other, gain experiences and spend time together. I see the passion and enthusiasm; I really appreciate what you are doing.”

Participants also experienced Rwanda’s vibrant culture through a local tour, which included a visit to Kigali’s famous green carpet, allowing them to enjoy the excitement and history of the region.

The third day

The final day focused on laying the foundations for future success, with workshops dedicated to financial accountability and government relations. Special Olympics Rwanda led discussions on best practices for UCS implementation, inspiring other countries to enhance their efforts.

For many, this gathering was a learning experience. “Seeing what other programs are doing with Unified Champion Schools is even better,” said Nancy Nyondo of Special Olympics Zambia. “I learned a lot coming here and seeing how they do it, and I will take it all home with me.” “.

The event concluded with a planning session, where each of the eight Special Olympics programs established specific goals and strategies for launching UCS over the next six months. Jean Bosco, from Special Olympics Rwanda, spoke about the importance of this event, saying, “I spent a lot of my time trying to figure out how to execute, but if I had had an event like this when we started, we would have come much further.”

As the event came to a close, the message was clear — Unified Champions Schools will continue to expand, driven by the passion and dedication of young leaders, athletes and educators across Africa.