Little Assisi School for Children with Special Needs in Ng’ombe

For more than two decades, Irish missionary Sister Kay O’Neill and the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) have worked alongside families in Ng’ombe, Lusaka.

They have helped to ensure that children with disabilities and additional learning needs have access to education, care and opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Today, that vision is taking shape in a new purpose-built school that is transforming the lives of children and their families.

Located in the Ng’ombe township, Little Assisi School for Children with Special Needs provides education and support for more than 80 children living with a range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and sight, hearing and speech impairments.

Established in 2005 by the FMDM congregation, the school was created for children with disabilities who were unable to access mainstream education and therefore reach their full potential.

For many years, the school faced challenges of its own. Operating from a small facility, staff struggled to accommodate children of different ages and abilities. Classrooms were crowded, and there was little space for therapy sessions, recreation or specialised learning activities.

Working with the wider community

The dream of a larger, more accessible school became a reality through the determination of Sister Kay, the school management committee and the wider Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood community. Working with supporters in Zambia and abroad, they led a years-long effort to develop a modern facility designed around the needs of the children it serves.

Supported through funding from Misean Cara, in partnership with Irish Aid, alongside contributions from other donors and supporters, the new school offers dedicated classrooms, therapy and counselling spaces, skills-development areas, and room for play and physical activity. It provides an environment where every child can learn at their own pace and feel included.

When Ambassador Fitzpatrick visited the school, it was this mission, as much as the new facilities, that stood out.

Little Assisi also works closely with parents, grandparents and caregivers, offering training that helps families better understand and support children with special needs. Caregivers have also received financial skills training, helping to strengthen family resilience and independence.

For Catherine Chambatu, the impact has been life-changing. Her eight-year-old grandson Marcus, who has autism, joined the school in 2024.

“My grandson has improved so much since he came here in 2024", she said. "He has autism. Before, he was non-verbal, could not feed himself, often isolated himself and was not toilet-trained. With the care and training he receives here, he now plays with other children, identifies colours and can read some words".

The changes she has witnessed have helped her better understand how to support her grandson at home and reinforced her belief in what children can achieve when they are given the right opportunities.

For Afalia, whose daughter Queen has cerebral palsy, that support has made a significant difference. Queen arrived at Little Assisi when she was five years old and is now 13.

Having a trusted and supportive environment for Queen has also given Afalia more time to care for her other children, while knowing her daughter is receiving the attention and specialised support she needs.

Officially opened on 26 May 2026, the new Little Assisi School represents years of dedication and collaboration between FMDM, Misean Cara, Irish Aid, and supporters in Zambia and internationally.

The real measure of its success can be found in the confidence of children like Marcus and Queen, in the reassurance their families feel, and in the opportunities now available to a community that has long advocated for greater inclusion.