In September 2024, Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education and Special Olympics Rwanda hosted the Excellence in Action: Expanding Unified Champion Schools workshop, with support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, an event aimed at introducing and expanding Unified Champion Schools (UCS) programming.
Day One
Youth and athlete leaders from eight Special Olympics Programs across Africa gathered for the Excellence in Action: Expanding Unified Champion Schools (UCS) Across Africa event. This initiative aims to spread the message of inclusion and unity across the continent, empowering youth to lead the way.
Vimbai, a Youth Leader, emphasized the crucial role of youth in driving change, stating, "Youth involvement is not just a check box. It's an opportunity to innovate and invest. Youth can take on many roles. For the youth to be at the forefront is significant and impactful."
Honored guests from the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, the Rwanda Schools Sports Federation, and the Rwanda Convention Bureau were in attendance, joining participants in setting the tone for the three-day event.
Throughout the day, participants planned out the foundational steps of starting Unified Champion Schools in their countries. They explored effective strategies for engaging youth leaders and learned how to train educators to create truly inclusive environments.
Reflecting on the progress made since His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's generous contribution four years ago, Charles Nyambe, President & Managing Director, Africa Region, said, "We would like to see that true inclusion is spread across Africa. We are going to expand UCS across the continent. Today, four years later, look where we are. We are only going to keep growing."
Day Two
The second day saw participants immerse themselves in Unified Sports as they visited Lycée de Kigali, a local mainstream school. They were joined by students from three special schools for a day filled with team-building and Unified basketball drills.
After practicing their skills, the group competed in a spirited game of Unified Basketball, with the red team emerging victorious. Santos, an athlete from Special Olympics Namibia, captured the excitement of the day, “Leading my team to the top feels so good because I doubt myself, but then I start scoring. It is fun to see how I can move the team forward."
Beyond the game, the day was also about connecting and learning from one another. Nelly Mukazayire, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sport, who spoke to everyone, 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 truly appreciate what you are doing."
Participants also experienced the vibrant culture of Rwanda through a local tour, which included a visit to the famous Kigali Green Carpet, immersing them in the excitement and history of the region.
Day Three
The final day focused on setting the foundation for future success, with workshops dedicated to financial accountability and government relations. Special Olympics Rwanda led discussions on best practices for implementing UCS, inspiring other nations to strengthen their efforts.
For many, this gathering was a learning experience. Nancy Nyundo from Special Olympics Zambia shared, "Seeing what other Programs are doing with Unified Champion Schools is better. Coming here, seeing how they are doing it, I have learned a lot, and I am going to take that all back home with me."
The event concluded with a planning session, where each of the eight Special Olympics Programs set specific goals and strategies for launching UCS over the next six months. Jean Bosco of Special Olympics Rwanda reflected on the significance of this event: "I spent so much of my time trying to figure out how to implement, but if I had an event like this when we were starting, we would have been further along."
As the event came to a close, the message was clear—Unified Champion Schools will continue to expand, driven by the passion and dedication of youth leaders, athletes, and educators across Africa.
