In Chilla District, northern Ethiopia, Kibrom Gebrehiwet Measho’s, 17, starts his day by going to school in his wheelchair.
Against the odds, Kibrom returns to the classroom in Tigray
Kibrom lives with his 65-year-old mother, Equba Gebresilass, in a small, rented house near Werera Primary School. In the mornings he attends schools, and in the afternoons, as the only child, he manages the family’s mini shop - a crucial source of income for their survival.
But just a few years ago, school felt almost unreachable. A sudden illness at age 12 left Kibrom with a physical disability, severely limiting his mobility. In a region that is still reeling from conflict, this added burden made the journey to education even harder. The school environment offered no support. There were no ramps, no accessible toilets, and no support to help him navigate around the crowded classrooms.
Without mobility assistance, the simple act of getting to school exhausted him. Stigma and misunderstanding made it harder still. Although determined, Kibrom often missed lessons, not for lack of will, but for lack of support.
That changed when the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), through the FCDO-UNICEF funded Education Response for Conflict-Affected Children in Tigray, launched an initiative to identify and support children with disabilities. Working with SEN Ethiopia and Axum University, NRC assessed 20 schools across Maekelay Adyabo and Chilla districts to understand the specific barriers children with disabilities faced.
Kibrom was among the learners identified for support. A wheelchair was provided, allowing him to move independently. His classroom was rearranged for accessibility, and teachers received guidance on how to support his participation.
The changes were simple, but for Kibrom, they meant everything.
“I can now come to school every day without feeling tired or embarrassed,” he says. “I feel like I belong here.”
With consistent attendance, his confidence grew. Lessons became opportunities rather than obstacles. Outside of school, he continued helping his mother, but with more energy and focus.
Kibrom, now in sixth grade, dreams of completing his education and finding ways to give back to his community.
In Tigray, children like Kibrom are proving that with the right support, the path to education is not only possible but theirs to claim.
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