Racheal is a tailor and a disability justice activist from Ghana. She is one of the young deaf women who have received skills training and support under the Ghana National Association for the Deaf (GNAD), Women’s Wing. Growing up, Racheal always admired fashion and design, and this inspired her to pursue tailoring.
About the Women’s Wing.
The Women’s Wing is one of the women groups in Ghana that received funding under the Disability Justice Fund for Women. They support deaf women across all districts in Ghana by providing skills training, capacity building, and advocacy programs to help them gain practical skills and speak up for their rights. They also run income-generating programmes, including training in tailoring, hairdressing, soap making, and bead making. They are a part of GNAD, the umbrella organisation of Associations of Deaf People in Ghana.
Racheal’s Passion for Tailoring.
“I’ve loved dressmaking since I was young, and my mother has supported me every step of the way. She always encouraged me to follow my passion and made sure I had the tools and confidence to keep learning.”
“I tried other jobs, but none of them felt right. Tailoring is what I’ve always wanted to do, so I chose to focus on it and build my skills. I feel fulfilled and happy doing the work I love.”
“I always encourage other persons with disabilities to pursue their passions and do jobs that they have interest in.”
“When I was a child, I often watched people sewing clothes, and that’s how I became interested. I started learning, and as a young girl, I even made my own clothes.”
“The community was impressed with my skill, so I got an opportunity to get further training to perfect my skill, and this has helped me earn money to support myself and my family.”
Racheal.
Through GNAD, Women’s Wing, deaf women are supported with skills and capacity to enable them to start their own businesses. They are also encouraged and assisted to apply for money that the government of Ghana gives out to support people with disabilities.
“I joined GNAD through the regional branch in Kumasi. GNAD advocates and lobbies for support for people with disabilities from the government of Ghana. Through this, I was able to get funds to buy a sewing machine and boost my business.”
Finding Creative Ways to Run her Business.
“Since I got my machine, I have gotten more clients, and this has helped me earn some money which has improved my wellbeing.”
“Being deaf has not affected my business. I have found creative ways to communicate with my clients like writing notes or exchanging gestures and this is working for me.”
“People’s perception about me in my community has completely changed. My skill in tailoring is really good and when they see my work, they get surprised that it’s a deaf person doing it. Because of that, people respect me in the community just like any other person.”
“My advice to people with disabilities is that they should be creative. They should take a bold step and start something they are passionate about. Use your skills or build on your passion and use that to create jobs for yourselves to earn an income. I had to take that step and I’m happy and doing well.”
Support for people with disabilities.
“People with disabilities need funding support to be able to live independently. There are many people with disabilities like me that have great skills and passion, but they lack the resources and tools to boost their skills or to start up their businesses.”
“This can be made possible with flexible funding. People with disabilities should be given the chance to lead and decide how funds are spent.”
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SALAMATU’s Story
Salamatu is a disability justice activist from Ghana, and she is very passionate about advocating for the rights of deaf people and loves seeing them taking up the spaces and opportunities they rightfully deserve.
DISABILITY JUSTICE FUND FOR WOMEN
This is a participatory fund designed by women with disabilities in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania, to make sure it meets the real needs of disability justice activists in these countries.