Kili fundraisers visit lives set to change thanks to fundraising efforts

We hosted our second visit of the week from UK partners AbleChildAfrica on Saturday, after a group of the fundraising climbers came to meet some of the people who will benefit from their efforts. AbleChildAfrica organised the climb to raise money for its life-changing work with disabled children and young people which has been hit by the world's financial crisis.
 

The climbers enjoy a break

Board member Vimal Shah led the group of fundraisers visiting its Kenyan partners ANDY and Little Rock Early Childhood Development Centre. Our own executive director Fredrick Ouko and Kibera’s Little Rock’s founder and director Lily Oyare had joined them on the Mt Kilimanjaro climb.

Fredrick explained ANDY’s unique range of work and programmes, which give more young people with disabilities the chance to achieve economic independence, to have a voice in the decision-making process and to lead healthier, active lives.

They were then able to visit some of the people whose lives our programmes – and the funds they raise – are helping to transform. 

Lizper in her home

One person they met is Lizper, a 22-year-old young person living in Kibera. She is a bright and sociable young woman who works braiding hair in a salon near her home.
Lizper’s life changed when she lost a leg ten years ago after a train hit her on her way to school in Kibera. Now she faced a new set of barriers; society’s expectations and response to her changed overnight, she had less access to rehabilitation, to healthcare, to information, to equipment to help her move around, to education and ultimately to the ability to be able to support herself financially.

Her life changed again when a worker from a different NGO knocked on the door and told her about the availability of prosthetic limbs, and then when ANDY’s programmes started to overcome those barriers to inclusion in mainstream life.

The group visited Lizper in her home and discussed the challenges she faces as a young person with a disability,and how she has been given the opportunity to lead a healthier, more active life through ANDY’s sports programme and awareness sessions around health, HIV and AIDS. Lizper also hopes to qualify for a small loan through ANDY’s programme for entrepreneurs to help open her own salon next year.

Mary Ann Mhina, Executive Director of AbleChildAfrca said:

"ANDY and Little Rock are helping to give young disabled Africans like Lizper the opportunities they deserve. But it's been a really tough time for them financially and I've noticed that many larger International NGOs and corporations have dumped local partners to aid their own survival.

"The aim of the climb is two-fold.  We want to raise awareness of the fact that 52 million disabled young people in Africa are denied their rights on a daily basis.  95% do not complete their primary education and less than 2% are employed thereafter.  And we also want to raise much needed funds for Fredrick and Lily's work. 

“Disabled young people have the right to be independent, included and make their own choices.  To learn what they want to learn and choose a career and lifestyle for themselves. Each of the young people climbing Kilimanjaro has chosen to join us on this journey, going the extraordinary mile to celebrate their empowerment.”

Fredrick Ouko, Director of ANDY, said:

“I decided as person with a disability to climb Mt.Kilimanjaro to demonstrate that what all of us need is just an

opportunity and support to make it in life. There are tens of people supported me in different ways. That is why I am where I am today and this is my opportunity to support my peers to make it in life.

“Sometimes official funding is hard to come by and as a person interested in what I am doing because I can see its impact, I am no longer going to sit in the comfort of my office but rather go out there to seek this support that will enable ANDY reach thousands of young disabled people in Kenya.”

You can make a donation online at www.justgiving.com/Fredrick-Ouko