Turning Dreams into Reality: Wamala Nicolas’ Inspiring Journey

At just 17 years old, Wamala Nicolas's life has already become a remarkable tale of resilience and transformation. Born in the village of Seeta Jjogo, Wamala faced significant challenges from the moment he entered the world. Unlike other newborns, he did not cry or move his limbs, raising immediate concerns for his mother. As he grew, it became evident that he was experiencing developmental delays—he could sit at two years, stand at three, and walk with minimal support by age four. By the time he turned five, Wamala exhibited serious speech disorders, including echolalia, aphasia, and stuttering, as well as underdeveloped gross and fine motor skills. After struggling for a year in a mainstream school, his teachers suggested seeking a specialized educational environment.

Wamala Nicolas

Following the advice of a local cluster village worker, Wamala's mother took him to Mukono Health Centre IV, where he was diagnosed with right hemiplegic cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability. Raising Wamala was not easy; he was advised to enroll in a special needs school where he could learn essential daily living skills. Fortunately, the cluster village worker recommended the Children In Need Organization (CHIN), where Wamala could receive targeted training in life skills and therapeutic services.

Wamala’s First Day at SSHJM-CHIN

On his first day at SSHJM-CHIN, Wamala underwent a thorough assessment by a team of specialists who carefully documented his challenges and needs. Like all children with special needs, his progress would be guided by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), designed to achieve specific goals over three months. During this initial evaluation, it became clear that Wamala struggled with Hindi alphabets; while he could write them, his pronunciation made it difficult for others, including his parents, to understand him. Additionally, his communication and social skills were not age-appropriate, making integration with his peers particularly challenging.

To address these hurdles, the special education team crafted a tailored strategy focused on Wamala's unique needs. Initially, even basic tasks proved difficult for both him and his educators, who also faced challenges understanding his speech.

Figure 3: Wamala Nicolas seating for the DIT Assessment in Aug 2024

Naturally shy, Wamala felt most comfortable with family, especially his grandparents from Bukerere. To help him adjust to this new environment, CHIN staff first engaged with his parents to learn about his interests and preferences before devising a plan to train him in daily activities. The initial goal was to help him feel comfortable interacting with peers and introduce him to a broader world.

Alongside developing his interpersonal skills, Wamala was encouraged to explore various activities that ignited his passion.

Wamala eventually advanced to the 16+ Youths with Disabilities program, where he participated in a variety of life-skills training courses. Topics included communication, time management, leadership, psychosocial support, goal setting, self-esteem, decision-making, craft making, and cookery. He ultimately chose to specialize in tailoring—a decision that would prove transformative. Over three years at the SSHJM - Children In Need Vocational School, Wamala not only excelled academically but consistently ranked at the top of his class. In 2023, he achieved the prestigious title of the best student in the class savings scheme, earning a tailoring machine as a reward.

“It was an eye-opener for me as I never thought he could win it,” reflects his proud mother.

Figure 4: Wamala operating his tailoring machine from home.

Wamala's metamorphosis over the years has been nothing short of extraordinary. Once dependent on others, he now actively contributes to his family’s basic needs through income earned by repairing clothes for customers at home. His ambition is to establish a tailoring workshop in his community, providing affordable services to vulnerable families.

“My dream is to open a tailoring workshop that offers made-to-measure clothing in the spirit of solidarity,” Wamala declares with passion.

In an inspiring display of initiative, Wamala, along with five friends with disabilities, launched a Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) aimed at securing a disability grant from the local government. The SACCO is fully registered with the subcounty, and as treasurer, he is optimistic that their timely grant application will succeed.

“As a person, Wamala possesses a calm demeanour, is exceptionally obedient, and approaches every task with sincerity. He greets everyone at CHIN every morning, enjoys spending time with friends, and understands how to behave in the presence of his instructors. He has diverse interests, from crafting to saving,” notes Mr. Nsubuga Silajje, his instructor and Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) officer.