The Unstoppable “Super model" Enrika Mijumbi
Mijumbi Enrika Kabagenyi, popularly known as Super Model Enrika is an award winning 14-year-old Deaf runway model, commercial model, pageant queen and entrepreneur who uses fashion to:
1. Createdisabilityawareness.
2. Empower children with disabilities.
3. Advocate for disability rights and inclusion
She was born on 5th July 2008 with a hearing and speech impairment. Her parents got to know her condition when she was 8 months old. There was less knowledge on how she could be helped as hospitals were receiving fruitless trust. The girl enrolled in a special needs school for the deaf for kindergarten at the age of three years. Enrika Mijumbi continued in the same school for her primary, currently, she’s in Senior One in a special deaf school. Enrika Mijumbi is popular as Super Model Enrika in the fashion world and she is the Little Miss Ability Uganda.
At the age of 8, Enrika participated in the first-ever Little Miss Uganda pageant as the only girl with a disabilities where She contested against over 20 girls and took home three awards for standing up for children with disabilities.
Enrika has showcased on charity shows to inspire children and parents of children living with disabilities. This has been possible through the “Disability is not Inability, Yes we can” agenda. During these shows, children receive scholastic materials and sanitary towels to allow them to keep in school.
Enrika has held two successful fashion shows of her own “Supermodel Enrika fashion show” under the theme “Be inspired” and second edition “Featuring a Sexual & Reproductive Health Camp for Girls with Disabilities. This brought parents of children living with disabilities, Organizations, and media that have continued to spread awareness of how a girl with deafness has stood out. And also children have a right to be loved and can do anything.
Enrika has participated in little hands go green campaigns to teach children to protect the environment. Through these campaigns, children have received tree seedlings to plant both at home and in schools. In in 2019, she took the Next Generation Honoree Award from The Malengo Foundation.
The amazing Enrika later received a nomination for the UN Women’s Girl Child Award and in 2019, she is an award winner for the most outstanding queen. In 2017, Enrika was awarded the most inspiring kid modeling prize in 2021, and in 2022, she was awarded East Africa’s most influential kid model. She also has several certificates awarded to her. They include the Box It challenges, the Kampala kids fashion show, and the girl up achievement.
Enrika being a junior Malengo ambassador has held talk shows in schools like Entebbe Cambridge School. She talks to children about the rights of children especially children with disabilities with the slogan of the “Be Kind” campaign.
Through her ambassadorship, she has inspired children, parents, and the community she lives in. They now embrace inclusion with the theme “leave no one behind.” This has also created awareness that children have a right to be loved, educated, supported, and protected.
Enrika is a kid Entrepreneur who picked an interest in jewelry making and immediately started Enrika Jewels with her soap brand called Enrika Liquid soap.
The Rising star shining
Thanks to Enrika, kids living with disabilities have been empowered and well represented. She has impacted. Children in her school and community to embrace inclusion.
After the kid’s fashion runway and Super model Enrika fashion show with children with disabilities, more children are joining the modeling industry and competing in kids’ pageants. There is a high boost in the confidence of children especially children living with disabilities in her community
Children have greatly participated in environmental protection activities. They now use plastics to make art pieces and tree planting has grossly improved at homesteads.
Conclusion
Children with disabilities may feel dependent on others for their safety and wellbeing. While it’s important to be protective, it’s also necessary to create an environment where your child can learn to gain independence.Allow your child explore and experience the world as much as possible. Give your child plenty of opportunities to do things on their own. You can also let your child help you with daily tasks. Don’t be afraid to let go a little. By giving your child the chance to do things independently, they’ll gain confidence and feel less dependent on others. It’s also important to let your child make mistakes and learn from them. Kudos to Mummy Enrika and for always supporting her and pushing her.
Share Post