Zambia - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

We enroll learners with disabilities and those who are differently abled to acquire quality education in a conducive and incl enironment. We offer special needs services to all learners. We are implementing quality education through inclusive education.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

I realized in my community we have a few special schools and expensive. These special schools do not enrol those with severe/moderate conditions of intellectual disabilities such as those with down syndrome, autism, ADHD and other learning disabilities. I felt bad and decide to make a difference and allow children with disabilities acquire quality education like any other school going child. I studied a bachelor's degree in special education at the University of Zambia and graduated in 2019. I immediately began practicing by offering home based learning to children with speech and communication challenges, autistic children and those other slow learning children rejected by schools. After building a brand, in 2021 I officially registered with PACRA as VEDAK LEARNING HUB. In 2023, I started a full time inclusive school and I've seen many parents open up and enroll their children with us. We have ensured our school fees are minimum to allow every special child attain quality education.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

We are breaking the obstacles that are blocking special needs children from excelling in their academics, social and emotional life, activities for daily living. Enhancing their abilities and create a sensitization system for the community to accept such children and not neglect them. We train parents and nannies/caregivers on how to teach and handle children with disabilities. As we are doing this, we are combating poor education and lack of acceptance of these children in the community. With the little efforts we have put in, we have seen parents, guardians and caregivers changing their approach towards children with disabilities to meaning there has been an improvement in terms of acceptance and showing love to special needs children.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Our services are individualised. Each child has an individualised education plan/program. Hence, allowing children to learn at their own pace and benefit from one on one sessions. We have a ratio of less than 10 learners per Teacher to enable a teacher have enough time with each learner. We use a multisensory approach in teaching. Meaning we use a kinetic, audio, visual and practical teaching methods to impart educative information. We also use learning through play which is a practical way of teaching. Unlike what other schools use which is more theoretical than practical. All learners benefit from our specialized multidisciplinary team of professionals. Our chargers for school fees and one on one sessions are minimal compared to other learning institutions.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our target beneficiaries are children with disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Speech delayed children, slow learners, children who have challenges with communication and language, Difficulty in writing and calculation/numbers and Celebral Palsy, club foot children. Our services also benefit parents and guardians as we offer mental health, counseling. Also caregivers get to learn how to handle special needs children.

01.05 When was your company established?

2021-11-26

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Daniel Banda is an education Psychology by profession from the University of Zambia. He has worked for USAIDSAFE/Johnsnow Int. as a strategic Information Associate and he is now working for USAID/ZAM-PACT under the same position. He is also counselor and data specialist/expert.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076154142867&mibextid=ZbWKwL

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Education and mental health

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

We are offering lunch for learners. A balanced diet from Monday to Thursday.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

We are providing a nutritious balanced diet .

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

We offer counselling services to learners and their parents, guardians and caregivers. We ensure to engage other professionals needed for us to achieve our objectives in the IEP such as Pediatrian nurse/doctor, Physiotherapist, child psychologists etc

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We offer inclusive education to all learner. Learning through play, kinetic, visual,auditory and practical learning strategies.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

We train our children in potty training. Learning how to use the toilet correctly and hygiene.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

We have a decent work culture. All workers have been registed on NHIMA and NAPASA

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

6

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

6

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

5

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our services are a new version of what is already on offer in other schools. What makes us different is the way we use a multisensory approach in teaching and learning. Our services are tailored to each child and no single formulae fits all. Learners are different and learn differently hence different approach is used for each learner to acquire quality education.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Umbrella trust Academy and St. Michaels are our potential competitors. We stand out because they both do not have a multidisciplinary team like we do. Their fees are three times higher than ours which has caused most parents be in debts or withdraw their children from their schools. We use a multisensory approach in teaching and learning, while these schools use the teacher centered approach in teaching.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes. Am a member of a women empowered crowdfunding where we share knowledge and skills of being an entrepreneur. We also encourage each other to be productive and not wait for our husbands to give us money.