Dear Friend,
At the start of the year, many of us think about what we want to change about ourselves. This year, we’re asking you to think about a different kind of change — like what it takes to shape the world a child grows up in.
Children with disabilities often face barriers that make learning harder. Kibra is 15 and lives in Abi-Adi, a town in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Growing up, it was hard for her to go anywhere without something to lean on for support. For years, getting to school required help from others, and taking part in class proved difficult.
When Kibra’s teachers connected her to a UNICEF-supported program for children with disabilities, a social worker helped her access school supplies, financial assistance and a wheelchair. With the right support in place, she began attending school regularly and actively engaging in class. Today, Kibra’s teachers describe her as focused and dedicated — and she talks about independence and her plans for the future. | 
