Sudan
Human RightsPoorest of Sudan's Poor--Displaced AND Disabled
Poorest of Sudan's Poor--Displaced AND Disabled
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A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHERS
Disabled People International sponsors a community school with an enrollment of 600+. Student backgrounds reflect the ethnic and religious diversity of Salama and Soba-Aradi, with a virtually equal distribution of girls and boys in preschool and grades one through eight.
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'WE WERE IN FACT LUCKY...MAYBE WE COULD HELP%2C%2044%2C%20founder%20of%20DPI%2C%20summed%20up%3A%20%20%5C%22When%20we%20started%2C%20we%20felt%20even%20though%20we%20as%20disabled%20people%20had%20suffered%20much%2C%20we%20couldn%5C't%20stand%20by%20and%20let%20others%20suffer%20while%20we%20tried%20to%20help%20only%20ourselves.%20%20Our%20struggle%20was%20one%20with%20the%20community.%20We%20came%20from%20the%20same%20background%20and%20endured%20the%20same%20constraints.%20%20We%20were%20in%20fact%20lucky--most%20of%20us%20have%20managed%20to%20educate%20ourselves%20and%20do%20something%20with%20our%20lives.%20%20Maybe%20we%20could%20help%20others%20do%20the%20same.%5C%22&loca=http://cloud.globalgiving.com/pfil/1654/ph_1654_4665.jpg)
Alfonse Muni (far l), 44, founder of DPI, summed up: "When we started, we felt even though we as disabled people had suffered much, we couldn't stand by and let others suffer while we tried to help only ourselves. Our struggle was one with the community. We came from the same background and endured the same constraints. We were in fact lucky--most of us have managed to educate ourselves and do something with our lives. Maybe we could help others do the same."
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14-YEAR-0LD DISABLED BOY IN SCHOOL SAYS
"Without this school, I would not be able to get an education. I would be on the street, maybe getting into trouble, or maybe just working for nothing with no future. This school gives me hope."
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'I NEVER LET MY DISABILITY GET IN THE WAY...'%2C%2030%2C%20originally%20from%20the%20Blue%20Nile%20area%20of%20southern%20Sudan%2C%20but%20now%20displaced%20in%20a%20settlement.%20%20%5C%22I%20don%5C't%20think%20others%20should%20either%2C%5C%22%20concluded%20the%20founder%20of%20El%20Nahda%20Society%20for%20the%20Physically%20Disabled%2C%20established%20in%202005%20by%20disabled%20teachers%20to%20assist%20everyone--disabled%20or%20not.&loca=http://cloud.globalgiving.com/pfil/1654/ph_1654_4659.jpg)
...of doing my best," so says Um Hani Malud (r), 30, originally from the Blue Nile area of southern Sudan, but now displaced in a settlement. "I don't think others should either," concluded the founder of El Nahda Society for the Physically Disabled, established in 2005 by disabled teachers to assist everyone--disabled or not.
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'WE ARE ALL DOING OUR BEST TO CONTRIBUTE'
"I had help to overcome my disability and I want to be sure that my friends and colleagues here in this community have the help they need," so says Um Hani Malud, 30, founder of El Nahda Society for the Physically Disabled. "I hope others can help us as well. We are all doing our best to live a full and happy life and to contribute to the people in this community as best we can. It's our responsibility," she concluded.
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MUD BRICK HOMES IN DAR ES SALAAM
While clearly very deprived materially, spirits are strong. As one 29-year-old teacher and volunteer in a school maintained by Disabled People International put it: "I lost my arm as a child due to a simple accident. This didn't have to be the case...if I had received proper care, I would still have my arm. I hope that we can see that those who need care, receive the kind of care that saves an arm rather than takes a life. At the same time. I can't let the lack of an arm stand in my way."
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'I'M AMAZED AT THE PROGRESS THESE PEOPLE HAVE MADE
"...and how much they have been able to do with so little. We would like to be able to do so much more to give them a hand. I live not far from here and am able to visit often," comments Moussa Gismallan of NEF's Sudan staff, who knows the situation close up. "These people founded the school to serve the community. All staff and teachers are disabled...disabled people serving the community, rather than being served," he added clearly touched.
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