Uganda’s Rena Community Development Association is launching a new advocacy drive to empower persons with disabilities in Uganda for 2020 and beyond.
“In the developing world persons with disabilities often find themselves marginalized and severely disadvantaged – from having to skip school as parents and relatives are forced to “prioritize”, to going without simple amenities like crutches, wheelchairs, and even shoes,” said Rena CEO, Katende T. Zikusooka This is hardly surprising, but it spells disaster for a sizable chunk of the population of any African country. When you want to build a nation that works for all sections of the population, you can’t afford to leave the persons with disabilities to fend for themselves without the support of their country.
“We are deeply grateful for the support we’ve so far enjoyed from our partners “ said RCDA CEO, Katende T. Zikusooka, “but you wouldn’t believe it that even with the rate at which we are helping persons with disabilities in Uganda, all this equipment we’ve donated to date seems like a drop in the ocean! The rate at which people in Uganda and Africa in general are getting involved in maiming accidents is quite alarming. You have motorcycles – which are the most popular mode of transport in most African countries – then you have car traffic accidents. Things will probably get worse before they get any better…”
But helping persons with disabilities in Uganda access walking aids is not the full extent of RCDA’s contribution, because in most of the communities where they work, giving persons with disabilities is often just the first step.
