Activists' Stories
Activists' Stories.
Read stories from the frontline of disability activism in Africa and Asia, spanning some of the different thematic areas where we focus.
Millions of disabled people face a life of poverty and exclusion.
Right now, we are supporting disability activists working to tackle discrimination and ensure every disabled person gets a fighting chance at living their best life.
HOW WE SUPPORT ACTIVISTS IN 3 STEPS
1. Listen
Our work begins as a conversation. Disability activists tell us the change they want to make and what they need to make it happen.
2. Tailored support
Together we develop a package of long term support to help activists access the tools and resources they need to make change happen.
3. Building movements
We help organisations of disability activists build links with each other and build movements with unstoppable momentum.
Get to know some of the remarkable activists that we partner with.
Strengthening Organisations
Kaddush, Bangladesh
Kaddush is visually impaired. For a long time he was ashamed and isolated, but he now leads an organisation of over 4,000 disabled members fighting for disability equality.
Arefa, Bangladesh.
Arefa used to have negative attitudes towards disabled people until she became disabled herself. She didn't leave her house for 5 years, but meeting and working with other disability activists has transformed her life.
Women's Empowerment
Sabina, Bangladesh
Sabina is one of the only female disability activists in her area: shunned by her village as a child she is now an award winning community leader.
Minnie, Bangladesh
Minnie is a disability activist working for women's rights in Bangladesh. In an area where disabled women are vulnerable to all forms of violence, Minnie is working to protect and empower her community.
Sambath, Cambodia
When Sambath was 7, a high fever and poor local health provisions left her paralysed in her right arm and left leg. Her disability left her alienated from her friends and it was a deeply painful time.
Hom Eng, Cambodia
Hom Eng was born with a disability but she has always been determined to seize every opportunity. Read how she has gone from a self-help group member to a leader in her community, doing all she can to raise up her community.
Pushpa, Bangladesh
"I am Pushpa Rani. I live in South Central Bangladesh. I am 50 years old but I have had to spend my life crawling around like a child." Read how disability activists helped Pushpa re-discover her purpose, value and dignity.
Tayba, Sudan
Tayba has a hearing impairment. In Sudan, there is no government support for the deaf. Tayba found community and support through a local group of activists and now is earning the money to help contribute to her family.
employment
Maha, Sudan
"My dreams have always been simple, just to meet my own requirements, to contribute to my family, and not to depend on others."
Asha, Bangladesh
Read how a loan transformed Asha's life and circumstance and allowed her to access the opportunities that had previously been denied to her.
Kim Doe, Cambodia
Kim Doe spent years secluded in her house, ashamed to leave because of her disability. A visit from local activists, brought her out of her home and set on her a path to freedom.
Inclusive Education
Issac, Tanzania
Isaac Idama is a passionate disability activist working to ensure disabled children in Tanzania can access an inclusive education.
Grace, Tanzania
Grace is head of a department for children with disabilities at Mlandezi Primary School. There are 70 children in her unit who have a spectrum of diverse needs including hearing, visual and intellectual disabilities.
Hassani, Tanzania
Disability Activist
Hassani Kambangwa is a proud and passionate disability activist working on securing education for all children in Tanzania. Here he tells us why working on disability rights inspires him.
Albinism
Peter, Uganda
Frontline Activist
Peter is an albinism activist in Uganda where there are still many myths attached to albinism, including that persons with albinism are cursed, are punishments from the gods, are ghosts, have supernatural powers, or do not die.
Elizabeth, Uganda
Ignored by her family, Elizabeth was bullied and beaten at school and abused by her neighbours for her disability. Her husband later abandoned her and she was the victim of an attempted kidnapping plot to trade her body parts. Read how she turned her life around through her activism and resilience.
Tulli, Tanzania.
Tulli, a disability activist from Tanzania, talks to us about growing up with albinism in a time when people with his condition were being massacred.