Like any other child, children with Down Syndrome need to be part of television programs to feel included and engaged. It is in this regard that Rwanda Down Syndrome Organization (RDSO) invited Itetero, a television show for kids, to feature children with Down Syndrome as they were playing on different kinds of swings, jumping on a trampoline, and having fun together. The event took place in December around Christmas time, thus, RDSO took the opportunity to share Christmas festivities with the children and their guardians.
In attendance to the Christmas party, there was Dr. Leon Mutesa, one of the two geneticists in Rwanda, who talked about what causes Down Syndrome and the underlying conditions that comes with Down Syndrome. For so long, Down Syndrome has been misunderstood in Rwanda either because of the lack of medical professionals to diagnose the condition or the many myths and stigma around Down Syndrome. There are common beliefs that children with Down Syndrome has no place in school which has hindered intellectual development of many children with Down Syndrome; some parents have gone to the extent of hiding their children with Down Syndrome, preventing them to socialize and play with other children which itself is an abuse of their rights, but also a barrier that can negatively affect even normal developing children.
RDSO as a DPO that aims to educate and raise awareness about Down Syndrome and also advocate and build capacity for people with Down Syndrome, fights every day to shake off these wrong perceptions and create a better public image for people with Down Syndrome either through workshops for parents, educators, health professionals or broadcasting messages on Radio or Television to sensitize the general population in protecting the rights of people with Down Syndrome. The Itetero tv show from the Christmas party has been broadcasted several times on RTV (Rwanda Television), one of the channels of RBA (Rwanda Broadcasting Agency). It is in the vision of RDSO that viewers of the Itetero, especially children, grow up with an attitude of respect towards people with disabilities and an awareness of the condition of Down Syndrome.
Written by: Pascaline Mugiraneza Munezero, volunteer at RDSO