Disability inclusion paying dividends in Datata Community
By Ntokozo Ncube
Gwanda:Nkomwa Foundation Trust is a community-based organisation whose aim is to advocate for inclusivity of People with disabilities among communities in Gwanda communal wards and Hivos Southern Africa is the funding partner for this cause, for a 3-month intervention covering 2 communal wards namely Datata, ward 2, Gwanda urban ward and Buvuma, ward 18. These two wards are among the 24 communal wards in Gwanda.
Hivos Southern Africa is an international development organization that contributes towards just, inclusive and life-sustaining societies, where people have equal access to opportunities, rights and resources. Hivos’ approach is solution-driven, and it builds wider movements for change by amplifying and connecting voices.
Gwanda is amongst the most vulnerable district in the region with livelihoods limited to artisanal gold panning, remittances from outside the country, illegal cross border trading, subsistence farming and livestock sales and the communities are facing challenges to share these limited resources. The situation is even worst for the women, children and people with disabilities who are discriminated and denied participation in the key decision-making platforms.
Nkomwa Foundation Trust conduct inception meetings, community engagement meetings, community indabas, and roadshows to curb these irregularities among people with disabilities in these communities. Thus, during these meeting where people will air their views and critic irregularities that exist with their communities and come out with solutions in order to ensure recognition and inclusion for people with disabilities as well as making sure they fully participate in all community development programs.
Barbra Nkala residing at Silikwe village is the disability champion in that ward who work with all organisations who advocate for inclusion of people with disabilities in that particular community. Barbra confession attests that Nkomwa Foundation Trust mandate is being achieved.
This is evident with the mindset of development organisation who now incorpates the needs of people with disabilities in their planning phase of the projects. She highlighted that buildings that are now constructed in this community now include ramps to cater for people who use wheelchairs and this was not the case before these Nkomwa Foundation Trust community engagement meetings. These meeting came as a lesson to Datata community as they now realise that people with disabilities are not different to other people in their community.
Barbra Nkala 59years, Disability Champion in ward 2, Datata, Silikwe Village