I've recently returned from another week of meetings in Gunjur. Working with our partners Tarud. (Trust Agency for Rural Development), we are trying to raise awareness of the needs of disabled young people in the 25,000 strong community, and support the development of services which will improve their quality of life.
The Trouble with Aid
The natural desire to help in Africa has become almost fashionable, but should we think a bit more carefully before jumping in?
I really like the ideas and ethics of this passionate plea from Dr Ernesto Sirolli here:
It will ruffle feathers to be sure - but if we feel jangled by it, maybe we have something to take on board? The economic argument to support Sirolli's anecdotal account is well made by Dambisa Moya in her book "Dead Aid". I encourage you to watch the video and read the book. These are the principles which Disability Africa aspires to apply because they are as relevant to the historical approach to disabled people worldwide as they are to our historical approach to aid in Africa.
Ten Months On: How Are We Doing? . . .
It was April 2011 that Disability Africa was first conceived. So what have we done? How many schools have we built? How many clinics?
News from The Gambia
Disabled young people have it pretty rough in The Gambia. Having said that, during this, Disability Africa's first visit, I met plenty of Gambian people who would have it otherwise.
Welcome to the Disability Africa Blog!
Disability Africa is a new charity formed from individuals with many years of experience of working with, and developing services for, disabled young people and their families.
On September 8th 2011 we registered with The Charity Commission ( reg number 1143704 - check us out on the Charity Commission web site) to work with local people in African countries to help improve the lives of disabled young people and their families.
On this blog we'll be keeping you up to date with our projects and our partners. We'll try to share ideas and link you to the best thinking and practice we can find about Inclusive Development Projects.
We'll also use this space to be controversial and challenge ideas and, in turn, we welcome your comments - so long as they're polite :-)
Coming Soon:
Ric Law is visiting Gunjur in The Gambia from 25th Nov - 2nd December courtesy of our partners the Marlborough Brandt Group and during that time we will be meeting a range of Disabled People's Organisations and community leaders as well as disabled young people and their families. We hope that this will be the start of a long-term relationship which will lead to some strong partnerships and measurable changes to the lives of disabled children.
We'll let you know!