#LeaveNoOneBehind: our work with people with disabilities
As the UK government this week prepares to co-host its first ever Global Disability Summit in London, alongside the International Disability Alliance and the Government of Kenya, we take look at some of Christian Aid’s work with people with disabilities around the world.
Afghanistan
For CAID Afghanistan, inclusion is always a key consideration when selecting people to be reached by projects. In Zendajan District, almost 30 people with disabilities are part of the silk rearing and weaving project we run with our partner Rehabilitation Association and Agricultural Development for Afghanistan (RAADA). Habibullah (pictured below) is one of those involved in the project.
Our partner, Agency for Humanitarian and Development Assistance for Afghanistan (AHDAA), is also working in Badghis province with 231 women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, providing hospital referrals, resolving conflict within families, and helping the women to begin new and better lives.
Bangladesh
The ECHO-funded Dhaka Earthquake and Emergency Preparedness (DEEP) project — a collaboration between Christian Aid Bangladesh, the German Red Cross and Action Contre La Faim — works in 15 urban wards of Dhaka to increase people’s awareness of earthquake and emergency preparedness.
In 14 of those wards, the Ward Disaster Management Committee established through the project has an active member who is a person with a disability, who takes part in monthly meetings and contributes to the completion of an urban risk assessment, the development of a risk reduction action plan and ward-level contingency planning.
Ghana
The EU-funded Growing Economic Opportunities for Sustainable Development (GEOP) project is helping provide economic security for people with disabilities.
The project has trained 132 people with disabilities in liquid soap production, bead-making and leatherwork, as well as broader entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business management skills.
Kaku Famiyeh (pictured below), a leatherwork trainee from Ellembelle District said:
‘My income situation has improved, and I am able to take very good care of my family. My dream moving forward is to expand my business and create employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the youth.’
Watch our documentary about GEOP’s impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
Nepal
Sumitra Thamis, 33, started a tailoring business with 30,000 rupees (approximately £223) cash support, which she and her husband Dal received from Christian Aid as part of our Nepal earthquake response. Their home was destroyed by the earthquake in 2015.
Sumitra (pictured below) has bought a sewing machine, iron, threads, needles, scissors, along with other instruments needed for her work, and a few bundles of cloth which she is using to stitch and sell.
‘I made the right decision to pursue my interest, I feel happier and that I have achieved something. Now everyone knows me here,’ Sumitra said. Her dedication and passion to work has become an inspiration in her community. ‘This shop has changed my life and I am very happy and content. My children and my husband are also pleased to see me like this.’
Sierra Leone
Christian Aid is deeply committed to promoting gender equality and social inclusion through the UK aid-funded SABI programme.
Saiku Bah, SABI’s head of programme, said development organisations working in Sierra Leone needed to put equality and inclusion at the heart of programme design and implementation: ‘Women make up over half of the population of Sierra Leone. Over a third of the population are between the ages of 15 to 35 and a significant number are persons with disability, given the recent dark history related to the war.’
‘SABI has contributed largely to the community of people with disabilities in Makeni … to effectively gain awareness on inclusion, leadership and advocacy, helping them shape their lives for the future.’
Ibrahim Jalloh (pictured below), chair of the Regional Youth Commission
Zimbabwe
Christian Aid in Zimbabwe and its partners, Ntengwe Community for Development, Open Schools Worldwide and Silveira House, are supporting children with disabilities in Binga, a district in Matabeleland North Province in the west of the country.
The Integrated Learning, Skills and Entrepreneurship Advancement Initiative (ILESEA) and the Brighter Future Through Inclusive Education For Children with Disabilities (BFIE) projects, funded by Comic Relief and the Porticus Foundation, are reaching at least 1,200 children and young people.
The project has initiated guidelines and actions that improve the school environment for children with disabilities, and we have worked with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to train 24 school focal teachers to support inclusive education, like Tendai Manema (pictured below) at Mpiname Primary School.
