Special Children of Kattankudy

  • Dates
    2018 - 2018
  • Author
  • Topics Portrait, Social Issues, Documentary
  • Location Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka

The city of Kattankudy is located in eastern Sri Lanka. In a country that is 70% Buddhist, nearly all of the city’s 40 thousand residents believe in Islam. 40 students attend “Zahira Special School”, a school for children with disabilities.

The city of Kattankudy is located in eastern Sri Lanka. In a country that is 70% Buddhist, nearly all of the city’s 40 thousand residents believe in Islam. 40 students attend “Zahira Special School”, a school for children with disabilities.

In Sri Lanka, Muslims and children with disabilities are considered minorities. Because of various problems, including poverty, few resources, and prejudice, they receive little support from the country.

The school owns just two tuk-tuks (a three-wheeled bike) which are used to transport children to school every day. One of them was damaged by the tsunami waters of the 2004 Sumatra earthquake, which also damaged the school and surrounding area. The funds necessary to repair it has still not been received from the government. As such, many are unable to attend school because their families cannot afford to pay for bus fare or a taxi to get them there.

And sadly here is the place where there were criminals who attacked some cities by bombs this year.

© Kai Yokoyama - Image from the Special Children of Kattankudy photography project
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Rusaith is looking at himself. He lives with three other students. Separated from their families, he is able to see them just once a month.

© Kai Yokoyama - Ilma prays at the school's mosque. Deaf, she cannot hear herself or the voices of others during the call to prayer.
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Ilma prays at the school's mosque. Deaf, she cannot hear herself or the voices of others during the call to prayer.

© Kai Yokoyama - Suffering from Down’s Syndrome, Ashra is chased during a time of play by Ilma, who is deaf.
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Suffering from Down’s Syndrome, Ashra is chased during a time of play by Ilma, who is deaf.

© Kai Yokoyama - Image from the Special Children of Kattankudy photography project
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Wearing his favorite cap, a traditional Islamic taqiya, Simar, who has Down's Syndrome, stands in the corridor after class. Wire mesh fences are stretched around the window frame. There are no glass windows.

© Kai Yokoyama - Image from the Special Children of Kattankudy photography project
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Munseef, who suffers from mild mental retardation, comes to school on a bicycle. He’s one of the few students capable of traveling to school alone.

© Kai Yokoyama - Rusaith returns to his dormitory to change from his uniform into plain clothes. Suffering from mental retardation.
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Rusaith returns to his dormitory to change from his uniform into plain clothes. Suffering from mental retardation.

© Kai Yokoyama - Image from the Special Children of Kattankudy photography project
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Ashfak, who has autism, prefers to be alone and hides behind one of the pillars in the schoolyard. Spotting me, he turns to face me. The blue line above him indicates the height of the tsunami waters of the 2004 Sumatra earthquake which damaged the school and the surrounding area.

© Kai Yokoyama - Image from the Special Children of Kattankudy photography project
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Munshif poses in front of the school building. Deaf, he’s unable to hear the noise of the camera shutter or know when I’m shooting.

© Kai Yokoyama - Image from the Special Children of Kattankudy photography project
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Safahi, who suffers from mental retardation and learning disabilities, he said he wanted to be a model. He is one of the children who especially liked being photographed.

© Kai Yokoyama - Inshahu, suffering from mental retardation, poses with the fans. He often fights with other students.
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Inshahu, suffering from mental retardation, poses with the fans. He often fights with other students.

© Kai Yokoyama - A portrait of Ilma, deaf.
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A portrait of Ilma, deaf.

© Kai Yokoyama - Image from the Special Children of Kattankudy photography project
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Posing for a group photo in one of the classrooms, these children, all born with various disabilities, will learn, graduate and go on to live full lives. They learn to sew on the sewing machine which will help many get a job after graduation.

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