SPINAL cord damage has made millions of people disabled and poor, hence there is a...
need to do something about it.
According to
Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT), there
are 4.2 million people living with disabilities in Tanzania and are
among the poorest and most marginalised in society.
The exclusion of
people with disabilities from the workplace either through
discrimination or inaccessible work environment is estimated to cost
Tanzania $480m every year.
To mitigate the
situation, Motivation Africa, which is part of Motivation, an
international development charity and social enterprise seeks to enable
them have independence and opportunities.
Since November 2017
the charity has been working with Kilimanjaro Association of Spinal
Cord Injuries (KASI) and Moshi Cooperative University (MoCU) to support
people with spinal cord injuries in Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions.
Mr Goodluck
Chanyika, a senior official with Motivation in the country, told 'Daily
News' recently that under a project dubbed 'Rebuilding Lives, Growing
Livelihoods', it has given people wheelchairs, training and instilling
in them new skills so they could earn incomes, live independent lives
and provide for their families.
"As part of this
project, participants were loaned cameras to take photographs of
everyday challenges they face in their homes and communities.
The photos show how
difficult it can be to get around towns and cities as a wheelchair
user. They also show that people with disabilities can work and achieve
great things when they are given opportunities and support," said Mr
Chanyika.
Motivation has
since invited government leaders and revealed an exhibition of
photographs as a means to raise public awareness of the disabled rights
and inclusion in Tanzania.
The charity aims at
providing better information on life with a disability in the country
and encourage politicians to formulate laws that create equality for
people with disabilities so that they can improve their lives.
Mr Goodwill Linus
from Hai District in Kilimanjaro is one of those with spinal cord damage
and also KASI chairman who got a disability after falling from a tree.
He has since been
trained by Motivation in leadership, financial administration and
entrepreneurship. He conducts agricultural activities, keeps livestock
and rears chickens.
Another beneficiary
is Mr Deo Mushi (25) from Tarakea, Rombo who, became disabled after
being knocked down by a car while riding his motorbike on his way to his
office in 2017. He has failed to get further treatment due to lack of
resources and cooperation from his family. Motivation has provided him
with a wheelchair and a layer poultry farm. He has 42 so far.
Another beneficiary
is Ms Linda Swai from Moshi Municipal Council who has lived with the
challenge since 1993. She has been supported with a retail shop project.
She pleads with the government to support them by making public
transport more friendly to them. All beneficiaries are provided with
wheelchairs.
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