In a quiet corner of Solwezi, along Congo Road, stands a school where disability is not seen as a limitation but as an opportunity to unlock every child’s potential. At St. Mary’s Special School, the Immaculate Conception Sisters have created an environment where children with diverse abilities learn, grow and dream together.
Established in 2017, the school was founded to provide quality education for children with special needs, particularly those with hearing and visual impairments, while embracing inclusive education by enrolling learners without disabilities. Guided by the congregation’s mission of proclaiming the Good News through simplicity and love, the school has become a place where education and compassion go hand in hand.
Before reading the full story, you can watch the documentary to see and hear directly from the Sisters, learners and teachers featured in this article.
Watch the full documentary on YouTube
According to Sr. Rajamani Arulsamy, Head Teacher at St. Mary’s Special School, the congregation recognised a significant gap in special education within Solwezi Diocese.
“There were no schools for children with hearing and visual impairments. Our congregation decided to establish this school so that these children could receive quality education regardless of their origin or ability,” Sr. Rajamani Arulsamy said.
Today, St. Mary’s Special School serves 600 learners from Early Childhood Education to Grade 12, including 75 learners with special educational needs. Government-employed teachers, together with support staff, work to ensure every learner receives the attention and support they need.
One of the school’s greatest strengths is its inclusive learning model. Learners with hearing impairments, visual impairments, albinism and those without disabilities share classrooms and school life, promoting understanding, acceptance and mutual respect from an early age.
Beyond academics, the boarding section provides a safe and nurturing home for learners who stay on campus. Sr. Regina Arulsamy, who oversees the boarding section, said the facilities were constructed with support from the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception Sisters, Lumwana Mine and well-wishers from Germany.
She said learners participate in sports, tailoring, catechism, health education and other activities that contribute to their academic, spiritual and personal development.
The impact of the school is perhaps best reflected in the experiences of its learners.
Vincent Kapalaya, a visually impaired learner, said St. Mary’s had transformed his life by teaching him to read Braille and develop musical skills. He hopes to pursue journalism after completing Grade 12.
Igneous Kasongo, another learner at the school, said the inclusive environment had helped him interact with friends who use sign language.
“Disability is not inability and people should not take it that when someone is disabled, then he or she can’t acquire education. Because a person who is disabled and those who are not disabled, they all need to get educated. So, there must be no differences, but just to come together and learn together and understand that we are all one, regardless of our origin,” Kasongo said.
Kasongo also said the support he receives from teachers has made it easier for him to learn.
“Where I was, I found it difficult to understand because not any teacher was giving me attention. But at this school, teachers are able to attend to me where I’m not clear, I’m able to ask and they are willing to help me every time I ask,” he said.
Their stories reinforce the message that disability should never prevent anyone from accessing education or achieving their dreams.
The school’s impact is also evident in former learners who return to give back to their community.
Joyline Chimbimbi, now a teacher at St. Mary’s Special School, said the education she received at the school inspired her to help younger learners achieve their potential.
“When I was young, it was very hard to understand some things. I concentrated on my studies, completed Grade 12 and went to college. Now I am happy to come back and help other children,” Chimbimbi said.
She encouraged parents not to hide children with disabilities but to enrol them in school so they could receive the education and support needed to build brighter futures.
Despite its achievements, the school continues to face significant challenges. Limited infrastructure means primary and secondary learners attend classes in different sessions, reducing instructional time. The school also requires additional classrooms, desks, learning materials and continued support for boarding learners whose education depends largely on donor assistance.
With some donor support coming to an end, Sr. Rajamani Arulsamy appealed to government, corporate organisations, communities and well-wishers to help sustain the school’s mission.
“From next year, we do not know what support will be available. We are appealing to well-wishers, the community, the mines and the government to come forward and support our special needs children by helping us provide food, improve infrastructure and purchase desks and other learning materials,” Sr. Rajamani Arulsamy said.
St. Mary’s Special School remains a shining example of what inclusive education can achieve when faith, compassion and commitment come together. Through the dedicated service of the Immaculate Conception Sisters, hundreds of children are receiving not only an education but also the confidence, dignity and opportunity to build meaningful futures.
Watch the full documentary on YouTube