Reading on Wheels: Bringing Books to Uganda’s Hardest-to-Reach Communities
August 6, 2026On 27 March 2026, SustainMe launched the See Me Disability Support Project — our first dedicated initiative supporting children living with multiple disabilities and their families.
For too long, many children living with multiple disabilities in rural Uganda have remained hidden in their homes, isolated from their communities and unable to access the care, education, therapy and support they need.
Some families continue to face stigma and harmful beliefs that disability is a curse or something to be ashamed of. Parents and caregivers can also face enormous emotional, financial and practical challenges as they care for their children with little support.
How See Me Began
The idea for See Me grew from conversations and visits to families caring for children with multiple disabilities.
Maureen, one of SustainMe’s volunteers from the UK, had previously worked with children with multiple disabilities in the UK. She had seen how children could access healthcare, therapy and specialist education, while their parents and caregivers received financial and practical support.
During her time in Uganda, Maureen was deeply moved by what she saw in rural communities. Many of the children we visited were spending most of their lives at home, with limited access to medical care, therapy, education or opportunities to interact with other children.
Together, Maureen and I began asking a simple question:
What can we do to help?
After visiting families and listening to their experiences, we began developing an approach that would bring children and their caregivers together in a safe, supportive local environment. That vision became See Me Disability Support.
A Safe Space to Be Seen, Heard and Supported
See Me Disability Safe Space was created to provide a place where children living with multiple disabilities and their caregivers can come together, receive support and know that they are not alone.
Through the project, children can access:
- Medical check-ups and healthcare support
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Stimulation activities
- Reading and play
- Nutrition and essential care
- Social interaction and opportunities to participate
Caregivers also have a space to share their experiences, receive encouragement and support one another.
Our goal is not simply to provide services. We want children with disabilities to be seen, valued and included.
The Launch Day
On 27 March, ten families came together for the launch of the See Me Disability Safe Space.
The day brought together children, parents, grandparents, siblings, SustainMe staff, board members, our medical team and supporters.
The families spent time together through music, play and social activities before caregivers participated in a special sharing session. This became one of the most moving parts of the day.
Caregivers spoke openly about their experiences of raising children with disabilities. Some shared stories of resilience, loneliness and the challenges of caring for their children with limited support.
Fathers, mothers, siblings and grandparents spoke about the responsibility they carry and the love they have for their children.
Their stories reminded us that behind every child is a family that also needs to be supported.
A doctor was present during the launch to conduct individual medical check-ups for the children and provide guidance to families.
One child experienced a medical emergency during the day and received immediate attention and was stabilised before receiving further care.
This reinforced the importance of bringing healthcare closer to children and families who can face significant barriers to accessing appropriate services.
More Than a Project
See Me is more than a project. It is a commitment to changing how children with disabilities are seen and treated in their communities.
- We want to challenge the belief that disability is a curse.
- We want to challenge the idea that children with disabilities should be hidden away.
- We want families to know that they are not alone.
And we want children living with multiple disabilities to have opportunities to participate, learn, play, receive care and experience life with greater dignity.
Bringing Children into the Light
The name See Me reflects our belief that every child deserves to be seen.
- Not hidden.
- Not forgotten.
- Not defined by their disability.
But seen as a child — with dignity, potential, dreams and a right to belong.
Through See Me Disability Support, SustainMe hopes to continue working alongside children, caregivers, health professionals and communities to create a more inclusive future.
Let us bring these children into the light. They are children. They deserve to be seen. They deserve to be cared for. They deserve to belong.
Together, we can help restore hope and dignity to children living with multiple disabilities and the families who care for them.
See Me. See their potential. See their dignity.
