My last day in Uganda, we went back.
While there was more room cleared, Fatuma's wheelchair was still a few inches too wide to pass.
There's the respect for the disability issues in Uganda...
There are always challenges you don't anticipate. There is a law that buildings should be accessible, but most of the time, there is no funding for it, and the government doesn't have the resources for or want to pay for it. When the ramp exists, it might be blocked. If anything, it's a lesson in remembering that there is far more to a story that what is on paper. There are challenges in policy, sure, but there are more in attitude, implementation, and sustainability.
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definitely, context is so important, huh? crazy how something can appear one way on paper, and in reality be completely different...
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with your work for empowering mobility. I have recently returned after volunteering in Uganda for three months with an organization of persons with disabilities in Kasese district. Kasese is in the Western region of the country on the border with DRC. As an outgrowth of my placement, we initiated a program to provide tricycles to mobility-challenged Ugandans. The initiative materialized as a result of information I posted on my blog about the plight of thousands of people in that impoverished country who were unable to walk because of polio, cerebral palsy, injury, accident, land mines or other reasons. Reading about this on the blog, a number of my Canadian friends volunteered and donated funds that allowed us to provide tricycles to 13 mobility-challenged Ugandans. These vehicles were manufactured locally thus generating local business and employment. The attached article should give you more details and visuals.
What we have accomplished so far is not even scratching the surface in relation to the huge need; but it is a start and we want to build on this initiative. Instead of starting our own charitable organization, our preference is to work with another organization invovled in a similar activity.
I will be pleased to send you a short article on our project and a couple of pictures of recipeietns with their tricycles. I would very much like to explore options for us linking up with your activity in Uganada.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Navin Parekh
Ottawa, Canada
613-224-8174
tda1@rogers.com