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Disabled, pregnant and scoffed at

New Vision-

Nangobi crawls from her house. She had a rough experience during the last child birth newvision

By Petride Mudoola

When Sarah Nangobi discovered she was pregnant, she was excited and terrified ? excited because this was her first child; and terrified because she did not know what to expect.
“I didn’t know how I was going to carry the pregnancy to term and what would happen at the time of delivery,” says the mother of four, who is living with a physical disability.

Nangobi was also worried about how she would get to the nearest and only health facility, which is 2km away, for antenatal clinics.

Though despondent, Nangobi resolved she was not going to wallow in self-pity. She would wake up early in the morning and do her domestic chores before crawling to the health facility.

She never missed any antenatal clinics as she did not want to endanger her life. When she was due, a health worker at the facility was not comfortable to handle her although she never said it openly. Due to the disability, the midwife feared she would get complications.

Fortunately, she managed to carry the pregnancy to term without any complications. “One Wednesday morning as I did my laundry, I noticed a strange discharge from my private parts.

Little did I know the birth waters had broken. I informed my sister, who immediately started running around looking for transport to take me to the hospital,” Nangobi says.

Unfortunately, the nearest health facility where she was scheduled to give birth did not have an ambulance, yet back home, the family did not have any means to get her to the hospital. The nearest ambulance was at Iganga Hospital, several miles away.

In such a condition, Nangobi could not sit on a boda boda, so her sister negotiated for a wheelbarrow, which a neighbour provided, and two gentlemen pushed her as her sister carried the bag containing her maternity essentials.
As the labour progressed, Nangobi says she prayed to God to give her time to reach the hospital. She knew delivering on the roadside would require them to hire a car to cover the remaining distance to hospital yet they did not have the money.

Nangobi says it took them an hour to get to hospital and luckily, the midwives were still on duty. However, the facility neither had a wheelchair nor a stretcher to push her to the labour ward. She was lifted from the wheelbarrow to the labour ward.

“Without sympathy, the midwife told me to get onto the delivery bed, but I could not, as it was too high. She scoffed at me, asking why, with such a kind of disability, I even bothered to become pregnant,” she adds.

On realising I could not get myself onto the bed and there was no one to lift me, the midwife placed a black plastic bag on the floor and told me to lie on it. With the help of a nursing sister, she examined me. “I had already dilated, so she asked me to push. I gave birth on the floor.

After that experience, Nangobi says she shunned hospitals and resorted to traditional birth attendants, whom she says, are receptive and besides, they live within the community.” Nangobi appeals to the Government to set up disability friendly health facilities to enable people with disabilities access them.

Health facilities not well equipped

Government health facilities do not have special facilities for people with disability. The referral hospitals and health centres New Vision visited did not have special facilities such as beds to cater for mothers with disabilities.

In addition, many of the facilities are difficult to access as they do not have ramps or elevators, where people with disabilities can be moved or wheeled.

Like Nangobi, women with disabilities face challenges when it comes to accessing reproductive health services. Some members of society portray women with disabilities as sexually infertile and incapable of being mothers.

What are the numbers?

Uganda Bureau of Statistics has no national statistics of people with disabilities or the number of disabled women who are in their reproductive age.

However, according to the last population census reports, about 10% of the national population make up the total number of people with disabilities.

The representative for the people with disabilities in the northern region, William Norkrach, says representatives for people with disabilities have proposed to Uganda Bureau of Statistics to bring out clear statistics on people with disabilities and the categories of disabilities.

He notes that while there has been a worldwide decline in maternal mortality rates, mothers in developing countries, like Uganda, especially the disabled, continue to face challenges in receiving effective reproductive healthcare.
According to Uganda Health and Demographic Survey, Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio dropped to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010, from 435 deaths in 2006, translating to 4,300 maternal deaths every year, down from 6,000.

Ministry of Health responds

Ministry of Health’s public relations offi cer Rukia Nakamatte, says “Currently we don’t have specialized delivery beds for disabled women in any health facility.

However, according to the hospital equipment policy, the ministry requires that at least 20% of the beds procured should consider mothers with disabilities,” she clarifi es.
Nakamatte says disability-friendly beds have not been procured for health centres because the policy was only passed last year.

Previously, patients with hearing impairment seeking medical services have been facing challenges due to lack of communication.

Nakamatte, however, says the ministry has trained midwives in sign language to enable them communicate to deaf mothers.

Representatives speak out

Safi a Nalule, the Woman Member of Parliament for Persons with Disabilities, says Uganda approved the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
The treaty obliges the Government to provide the highest attainable standards of health for people with disabilities. Nalule says as representatives for people with disabilities in Parliament, they have raised several issues affecting disabled people.

Parliament has enacted laws against discriminating people with disabilities; however, the laws are yet to be implemented. She observes that Uganda has some of the best policies on disability, but the health sector still remains blind to the needs of people with disabilities because many of the guiding principles are still lacking.

Regarding reproductive health, she clarifies that, Government promised to purchase adjustable delivery beds for disabled expectant mothers, which is yet to be effected.
However, Norkrach, says the beds will be acquired in the next fi nancial year. “There have been delays in acquiring these beds since it is a gradual process where change cannot take place over night.”

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/641215-disabled-pregnant-scoffed-at-nangobi-s-ordeal-a-sign-of-a-sick-health-system.html

Zimbabwe: All Set for National Paralympic Games

AllAfrica.com-2013/04/01
1 APRIL 2013

ALL is set for the National Paralympic Games starting this week with provincial officials expected to be in Gweru tomorrow ahead of a technical meeting and inspection of the sporting and accommodation facilities to be used during the event.

Teams from different provinces will fight for honours in athletics for the visually impaired, amputees, intellectually challenged, goal ball, football for the intellectually challenged, 5-Aside and 11-Aside, 11- Aside for the hearing impaired, netball for the hearing impaired, wheelchair basketball and tennis.

All provinces have confirmed their participation in the event and have already made part payments to the Local Organising Committee.

The participation fee is US$50 per athlete and they are all expected to pay the balance on arrival in Gweru.

Sport and Recreation Commission Midlands provincial sport co-ordinator, Simon Masaka said they are going to hold a technical meeting on Wednesday ahead of the Games to update participating provinces on the preparations and how the Games will be run.

The meeting will be attended by provincial general managers, provincial technical managers and competition directors.

"The meeting is being held so that we update each other and agree on how the competitions are going to be run and avoid the previous challenges that were encountered especially with the results.

"All the provinces have made part payments of the participation fees to the Local Organising Committee and have made an undertaking that they will settle the remaining balance once they are in Gweru," said Masaka.

Masaka noted that they had moved wheelchair basketball and tennis from Chaplin High School to Regina Mundi in order to de-congest Chaplin High School and spread the Games to other venues so that more people may have access to watch the competition.

Other sporting disciplines will be held at Mkoba Teachers College and Mkoba Stadium.

Teams are expected in Gweru on Wednesday and upon arrival they will be classified according to their degree of disability and thereafter accreditation will take place at the Command Centre at Chaplin High School.

The Games which, were inaugurated in 2008 by the Sports Commission are meant to create opportunities for people living with disabilities to access sport and are also being used as a tool to promote the integration of people living with disabilities into the society thus fighting stereotypes against them.

Midlands are the defending champions and will be out to retain their title when the Games roar into life.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304010401.html

Liberia: Virtually Impaired Man Brutalized At Supermarket

AllAfrica.com
BY EDWIN G. GENOWAY, JR, 2 APRIL 2013

A visually impaired man begging for alms has been severely brutalized by a private guard at the Exclusive Super Store in Sinkor, Monrovia. The incident occurred on Sunday, March 31, 2013.

By-standers told the NewDawn the guard who allegedly assaulted the blind man is an employee of the Blue Water Protection Service (BPS) hired by the management of the Exclusive Super Store to help in preventing beggars from embarrassing customers going to buy.

The management reportedly hired the BPS security firm due to the inability of its (Exclusive Super Store) own security to prevent beggars from around the supermarket.

The private security guard, Kenneh Glay, reportedly hit the visually impaired man, Clarence Mangou on Sunday night with baton on his head and kicked him several times for begging around the Exclusive Supermarket.

Onlookers said the manager of the Exclusive Supermarket came outside and instructed the BPS officers to drive away all physically challenged people who were standing around the supermarket.

While carrying out the instructions, the guard Kenneh Glay and the victim got into bitter exchanges, which led to the latter being brutally flogged. The blind man was left unconscious, lying in a pool of blood after he was hit several times by the security guard.

He was later taken to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK) in Sinkor where he was treated and discharged. Eyewitnesses said the manager of the Exclusive Supermarket usually orders guards to manhandle people for loitering around to beg customers going there for business transaction.

Meanwhile, the management of the Excusive Super Store has refused to comment on the allegation, referring this paper to the BPS Security Firm. Authorities of the security firm also refused to give detail on the matter, but said investigation was being conducted by the Police.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304020614.html

Tanzania: Disabled in Z'bar Get Entrepreneurial Skills

AllAfrica.com
BY ISSA YUSSUF, 3 APRIL 2013

Zanzibar - MAJORITY of beggars on streets in the country are people with disabilities probably because of misconception that majority of them cannot engage in productive activities to earn a living other than begging.

Some studies also suggests that children and adults with disabilities engage in begging as seen in many towns in Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Arusha because of unfriendly environment, neglect, and stigma in communities they live in.

Research and other studies conducted have it that many people with disabilities consider themselves as 'useless' in communities they live in and cannot do any meaningful work. Likewise, some members of the community including parents also have similar view of their relatives with disabilities, but this belief has been proved the opposite by members of the Zanzibar National Association of the Blind (ZANAB).

ZANAB has succeeded in providing training and various skills to some of its members (the blind). They include handcrafts skills, with view to help them fight poverty through self employment and formation of entrepreneur groups to produce goods for sale.

So far 20 members, including 12 women, have completed 18 days training on handcraft making at Masikini-hajengi area, in Wete District, Pemba Island, thanks to ABILIS Foundation of Finland for supporting the training project.

ABILIS Foundation is a development fund, founded by people with disabilities in Finland in 1998. Its mandate is to support the activities leading to the empowerment of disabled persons in the Global South (developing countries). ABILIS Foundation supports activities that contribute towards equal opportunities for disabled people in society through human rights, independent living, and economic selfsufficiency.

Special priority is given to projects advocating for human rights of disabled people and to activities developed and implemented by disabled women. Mr Masoud Suleiman, leading the trainers' team, says most of the beggars who are blind or as are referred to as visually impaired people, can engage in many income generating activities, and there have been many proof that they are capable of doing so.

"A person who is visually impaired can do almost any job that a person without such disability can do. There are many successful people who are blind in all areas of business, but it is important to have skills," said Mr Suleiman. He added, "We have trained our members and they are now capable of producing handcrafts - mainly shopping baskets, door mats, chairs, and mats of all sizes.

We believe that the skills would change the well-being of the blind people." Mr Masoud said fortunately coconut fibre, which is raw material for the handcrafts is abundantly available in the isles, and again, the market for the products was also available.

The local people, tourists and other visitors from abroad, buy the items. He said the training in handcraft production was second phase project in developing the blind in Zanzibar. The first phase training was conducted in October last year, which involved imparting knowledge to members about entrepreneurs' policy and regulations, Activity of Daily Living (ADL), and mobility (the use of white cane)."

Mr Masoud said that over 8,000 Euro was approved for the project and it was being released in three installments, set for three rounds of training and provision of coconut fibres, scissors, and monitoring. Mr Said Bakari, a blind trainer, said the training was important in helping the blind community in the isles to secure self employment.

This, he said, would prove to the disabled and communities around that disability was not hindrance to work. Bakari said the training beneficiaries were picked from all the ten districts of Zanzibar and camped for the training in Pemba where they learned how to make mats, basket weaving, and other handcrafts mainly by use of the available local materials.

Ms Mwanajuma Hassan, one of the 20 beneficiaries of the training said "we are happy and thankful for the training, although it has been a challenge for us to grasp the skills in a short time. We need more skills on income generating activities. Mr Abdul Said also a beneficiary says "It is a shame that some members of the community including families isolate people with disabilities.

People should know that disabled have different talents and can work." The ZANAB secretary Mr Adil Mohamed thanks ABILIS Foundation for the invaluable support for the blind in Zanzibar, saying the skills will bring change in the blind community as some of them now have income generating activities skills.

"Many members of ZANAB are faced with poverty, lack of conventional education, and discrimination in work opportunities, just because members of the community view people with disability as people who need help all the time."

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304030267.html

GFD On Law-Makers To Articulate Disability Matters In Parliament

Ghana
Wednesday, 03 April 2013 08:04

The Ghana Federation of the Disable (GFD) says critical issues affecting persons with disability (PWD) are not well articulated on the floor of Parliament to facilitate the formulation of appropriate policies.

The Federation is therefore taking steps to get Parliament form an inter-party parliamentary caucus on disability to facilitate discussions on disability issues.

Mr Yaw Ofori-Debrah, President of the Federation who made this known to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said so far it had been able to organise a luncheon for six Parliamentarians across the political divide, who had expressed keen interest to be part of the caucus.

He said, the driving motive was to try to influence Parliamentarians to develop keen interest in disability matters, as well as learn more about issues of vulnerable persons.

Formation of inter-party Parliamentary caucus would also help Parliamentarians to keep an eye on social interventions like the District Assemblies Common Fund, he added.

“This caucus will afford law-makers the opportunity to devote attention on disability matters and raise questions that call for Ministers to appear before Parliament to answer.

“Many of the law-makers are oblivious of disability matters and are therefore not able to raise substantial matters on disability for the initiation of appropriate policies and programmes, said Mr Ofori-Debrah.

He pointed out that, Ghana, in spite of its democratic credentials, neither practices inclusive education nor has policies on inclusive education.

“Ghana as it is now does not practice inclusive education, though inclusive education is now phenomenal.

“PWDs should not be restricted to residential schools; they need to be in the community with their families who will appreciate the problems they are going through,” he added.

He observed that, restricting PWDs to residential schools means taking away their ‘rights to inclusiveness’.

The President noted that, it was therefore, imperative to get the law- makers form a caucus on disability to articulate these and others giving critical consideration to PWDs.

Source: GNA

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/21105-gfd-on-law-makers-to-articulate-disability-matters-in-parliament

Sudan: Deaf Man Arrested After Rumbek Market Murder

AllAfrica.com
3 APRIL 2013

Rumbek - Police in Lakes state arrested a deaf man on Wednesday who they suspect killed a man in Rumbek Central market following a dispute on Tuesday afternoon. The murdered man, Awuor Majur Bec, who is reported to have have had mental problems, is believed to have been killed by Matur Makur Ruai after an argument broke out.

Awuor, who died of a broken neck, is alleged to have started the dispute at around 1pm by throwing a stone at Ruai. Lakes state police intervened and captured Matur Makur Ruai but investigations have stalled once they discovered he was death and they could not easily question him about the incident.

Abraham Mayen Kuc, the Rumbek Central County commissioner said: "Matur Makur Ruai is a deaf man. He killed Awuor Majur Bec, who is also a person with mental problem". According to eyewitness, the reason for Awuor and Makur's quarrel was unclear.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304040285.html

Back Stage

Mmegi Online
SASA MAJUMA

'The deaf can feel the vibrations and sense the sound'

Code Inconnu: Recit incomplet de divers voyages (2000) aka Code Unknown: Incomplete Tales of Several Journeys is showing today only, at the Gaborone Film Society at 7:00 pm in the A/V Centre at Maru a Pula School.

It was awarded a Special Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for works that deal with universal themes. It is the first of six unique films being shown by the GFS during the Maitisong Festival month. The film features drumming by deaf people. Cross rhythms- even the deaf can feel the vibrations and sense the sound. Michael Haneke's way is to leave images to be completed by the viewer, to fill in the spaces, as to what actually is happening. Short sequences end with an abrupt black cut. Stay for the closing.

There is a drawn out display where an African music teacher's deaf students perform in an amazing outdoor performance. It suggests new ways of communicating that transcend the limitations of what we now experience-there may be a universal language of empathy and responsibility. A young Frenchman, Jean (acted by Alexandre Hamidi), accosts his older brother's girlfriend, an actress named Anne Laurent (played effectively by Juliette Binoche), on the street after being unable to reach her on the telephone. He wants to have Anne's support in a complaint against his father (acted by Josef Bierbichler), and for her to achieve backing from his older brother Georges (played by Thierry Neuvic). Georges is a photojournalist on assignment in Kosovo in the Balkans.

Jean, without solicitation, begins to plea to the polite, but hurried and preoccupied Anne, his concern about his father's plans to renovate the family's farmhouse in the country with the expectation of apprenticing Jean to become a farmer. That is not Jean's life choice.

Pressed for time and unprepared to appropriately consider and confront Jean's personal issues, Anne attempts to placate him with a snack purchased from a nearby vendor. She gives him the keys to the apartment, while reminding him that he cannot stay long. Jean's frustrated attempts to voice his grievance to her leads to his performing a thoughtless act-as he walks by a seated beggar he discards his crumpled paper bag into her lap. Unknown to him she is an undocumented immigrant from Romania, Maria (Luminita Gheorghiu), who is selling near the entrance of a shop. A music teacher of African descent, Amadou (Ona Lu Yenke), who has been brought up to have manners and respect others, sees what has happened and is concerned.

Amadou cannot resist confronting Jean over his inconsiderate behaviour. He asks Jean to apologize to the woman. Jean refuses. This leads to a fight that attracts the police. Amadou's attempt to teach a lesson will have serious ramifications for the different people who become unintentionally involved. One act, the inconsiderate discarding of a bag of half-eaten pastry has totally unexpected consequences. The movie transects between the lives and networks of Jean, Amadou and Maria. The fulcrum in all this is Anne Laurent. Events will test her relationship with her lover, the photojournalist, Georges. The disturbance caused by Jean's actions and Amadou's civility will attract the Parisian police. Jean is white, Amadou is black, so whom will the police listen to, who will they take in? Unfortunately Maria is even more vulnerable and the easiest person for the police to crack down on. There is another racial incident in the film that shocks. Anne Laurent is on a Metro, tired from a day at work re-recording film dialogue. On the underground train an Arab (Maurice Benichou) begins to challenge her - "Don't talk to commoners? How can you be so beautiful yet so arrogant?

" When she moves to a seat away from him, he follows her. Suddenly he spits in her face. Another man speaks to the Arab, who at the next station leaves the train, suddenly threatening them both. Code Unknown: Incomplete Tales of Several Journeys moves between Romania, Mali and France. We meet and befriend in small ways a variety of people. Here is Amadou's father (Djibril Kouyate) and his beautiful girl, Aminate (acted by Maimouna Hne Diarra). In Maria's Romanian village we will meet a slew of her friends and relatives. When Georges does return home he finds he cannot enter his flat because the access code has been changed. Code Inconnu is cin?ma verite at its best.

Haneke is one of the more innovative filmmakers today - he has recently won for his Amour in various award races. Though it may seem a mysterious and complicated film, it is really the height of simplicity-we need to recognise how people we do not even know influence our lives - the unknown that shapes us.

Code is a word that has many meanings, but most of them embody rules, standards, classifications and symbols for others. If used as a noun it could relate to moral principles. As a verb, code may be written or assigned. Human behaviour has been governed by unknown codes long before the Roman Emperor Justinian formed his Codex - a collection of statutes.

Code Unknown: Incomplete Tales of Several Journeys is one hour and 52 minutes long. It is rated 15+. The director is Michael Haneke. The script is by Michael Haneke. The cinematographer is J?rgen J?rges. The editors are Karin Hartusch, Nadine Muse and Andreas Prochaska. The music is by Giba Gon?alves.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=7&aid=213&dir=2013/April/Wednesday3

Rwanda: Forum On Disability and HIV/Aids Ends

AllAfrica.com
BY LAURENT KAMANA AND STELLA ASHIIMWE, 4 APRIL 2013
RELATED TOPICS
Rwanda

A two-day national forum on disability and HIV?Aids ended yesterday with a call to achieve zero new infection, zero death and zero stigma by 2015.

Held under the theme, " Remove the barriers and achieve zero new HIV infections by 2015: PLWDs included", the forum which drew 108 people from various domains, aimed at exploring how HIV?Aids interventions can be adjusted to the specific needs of PLWDs.

"Disability is a cross cutting issue; therefore there is a crucial need to consider all aspects of disability and consider clinical, socio-economic approaches," said Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, the Coordinator of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections Care and Treatment Department at Rwanda Biomedical Centre.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304040158.html

Namibia Win 65 Medals At SA Disabled Champs

AllAfrica.com
BY HELGE SCHUTZ, 4 APRIL 2013

NAMIBIA excelled at the Nedbank South African Disabled Championships, winning a total of 40 gold, 16 silver and nine bronze medals, while five athletes qualified for the IPC World Championships which will take place in Lyon, France, from 20 to 28 July.

It was Namibia's best ever performance at the championships which took place in Pretoria from 24 to 27 March, and saw them finishing third overall behind Gauteng and Free State.

"The performance this year was really extraordinary compare to previous years. Our athletes who are on the Vision 2016 programme did very well. They all ran their hearts out and all qualified for the IPC World Championships later this year," said Namibia's team manager, Memory Kahlari.

Five athletes reached the A qualifying standard for the IPC World Championships, namely Johanna Benson, Ananias Shikongo, Ishitile Lahja, Johannes Nambala and Elias Ndimulunde.

Namibia's 2012 Paralympic gold medallist Johanna Benson was in a class of her own, winning three gold medals in the T37 100m, 200m and 400m.

Ananias Shikongo was also in exceptional form, winning three gold medals in the T11 category in the 100m, 200m and 400m.

Johannes Nambala, who had not been classified before and was competing at the Nedbank SA Champs for the first time, also won three gold medals in the T12 100m, 200m and 400m.

Lahja Ishitile, who is only 17 years old, won three gold medals in the T11 100m, 200m and 400m and qualified in the latter event for the World Championships.

Elias Ndimulunde also qualified for the World Championships after winning three gold medals in the T46 100m, 200m and 400m events.

According to Kahlari, Namibian disabled swimmer Gideon Nasilowski also qualified in the SB 2 50m breaststroke event.

"Gideon was the only one competing in this event at the championships but once his time has been verified, he should qualify for the World Championships," she said.

Another athlete who stands a good chance of qualifying is power lifter Ruben Soroseb, who broke the South African record in his category by lifting 190kg.

Some athletes who didn't make the grade this time include field star Reginald Benade, who is taking a break from athletics to allow for the recovery of a back injury, and T12 athlete Martin Aloysius.

It was Namibia's largest ever team with 42 athletes participating at the Nedbank South African Disabled Championships.

The secretary general of Disabled Sport Namibia, Pena Kandjii, said the emphasis was on development while the main purpose was to classify the new athletes.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304040428.html

Government to be Sued Over Disability Act

spyghana.com
By St. Kyoobi

Persons With Disability

All government and state institutions risk being sued for not restructuring their buildings and making them easily accessible to persons living with disability.

The Ghana federation of the disabled says it has waited for far too long for these institutions to abide by the disability act which calls for such restructuring.

The act mandates that all new buildings and public facilities built after 2006 the year the act came into force be disability friendly.

Existing structures before 2006 were also supposed to be restructured to make them accessible to the disabled.

But the federation says government and other public institutions have with impunity disregarded the laws.

Nana Oye Lithur, Minister Responsible for Gender, Children and Social Protection

Currently the state is in court over failure to provide structures on the N 1 highway for the disabled. The advocacy officer at the Ghana federation of the disabled, Isaac Tuggun told XYZ News, disabled persons are being taken for granted in Ghana.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.spyghana.com/government-to-be-sued-over-disability-act/

Ghana Federation of the Disabled to sue government

GhanaWeb-2013/04/05

The Ghana Federation of the Disabled is considering suing all government and state institutions for not restructuring their buildings and making them easily accessible to persons living with disability.

According to the Ghana Federation of the Disabled, it has waited for far too long for these institutions to abide by the disability Act which calls for such restructuring.

Existing structures before 2006 were supposed to be restructured while those constructed after 2006 should automatically be accessible.

In an interview with Citi News, the president of the Federation Yaw Ofori Debrah indicated that they would seek legal action.

“It means that society is not making life bearable for persons with disability” he said.

According to him, the accessibility clause had been neglected by some citizens and companies.

“Some of the buildings that were evaluated had complied with the disability act” he said.

We will therefore take legal action against both private and government institutions who have not complied with the law.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=270060

Gbeogo School for the deaf appeals to government to support the school for hearing assessment center

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation-2013/04/06

Authorities of the Gbeogo School for the deaf is appealing to government, civil society organizations and individual stakeholders to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the school to support the school put up a hearing assessment center.

According to the Headmaster of the school, Felix Neetege, who made the call, the center will help the school detect early hearing impairment in children to help authorities determine an appropriate placement during admissions.

He was speaking at a fund raising ceremony organized by Gbeogo School for the Deaf in collaboration with other stakeholders at Gboego in the Talensi district.

The headmaster said school authorities have observed that most of the children are not properly assessed and therefore most of them wrongly find themselves in the school. Aside this, he added, an accurate hearing could determine whether a child can benefit from a hearing aid and still be admitted in the regular school without having to be withdrawn to a special need school.

Mr. Neetege revealed that the school is also set to put up a sick bay to monitor and control suspected skin or communicable diseases in the children to prevent the spread of diseases to others. He added that the sick bay will also enable authorities give proper administration of medication to sick children and also manage other diseases like epilepsy which most of the children contract when they come to the school.

He said it is against this back drop and other related cases that authorities of the school are calling for a proactive measure to support the school establish a hearing assessment centre and the sick bay to cater for the needs of the children.

Mr. Neetege used the occasion to commend all those who have supported the school in diverse ways and said the school is however challenged in many ways such as inadequate means of transport as its major problem.

GBC

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.gbcghana.com/index.php?id=1.1328235

Disabled group earn living through detergent making in Kenya

Newstime Africa
186 Views
April 7, 2013 John Kamau Kenya No comments

Disabled people begging for money and other freebies is a common sight in the streets of all Kenya’s towns. When most of the disabled persons think or rather made to believe that begging is the only way they can earn a living, a disabled group in Nakuru’s Freearea estate has overcomed the temptation of spreading mats in the busy streets of the town to beg for money as most of their fellows do.

The Wachache disabled group with 60 members with different physical challenges, converge at the Freearea trading centre every Friday where despite contributing ideas every now and then on how they can get new ways to earn a living, they take part in their already deliberated projects.

One such project and also among the projects they kicked off the journey to better their lives with back in the year 2000 is that of making detergents from cheap chemicals and selling them to people around.

The project was started after some months of contributions aimed to buy the equipments for making the detergents.

“We made it a habit to surrender 50 bob every time we met and later we used the money to buy requirements for making of detergents.” Said George Otieno, the group’s coordinator.

When Newstime Africa attended the group’s meeting on 5th of this month, the group was now celebrating their savings and hardwork that has seen it buy 50 plastics chairs, a carwash machine and a tent capable of sheltering 100 seats.

They say that they have already applied for a place for car washing services in Freearea trading centre from the Nakuru municipality, and look forward for a permit anytime soon.

The tent, they say that will be using it to hold meetings and also will be hiring it to events like weddings the same as the chairs.

“We look forward to more booming business plus increased activities as we will be forced to make more detergent to cater for the customers and also for car washing services because we intend to be using everything that we make rather than increasing expenses by buying stuffs from outside.” Says Samwel Mwangi, the group’s chairman.

The spirit of table banking still burns among them and they have maintained the 50 shillings contribution which despite them using it as capital for purchasing of raw materials and the equipments they have already acquired, some amount is set aside for emergency. Mwangi says that the emergency to them includes giving their members an interest free loan to start personal small businesses when a need arises.

“A good number of our members run grocers among other small business, we are so proud that none of our member spreads a mat along town lanes and streets to beg for money.” Mwangi says.

Mary Wanjiku is the trustee of the group’s cash and says that the biggest challenge the group faces is poor market for the detergents.

“Though we are happy that unlike other disabled persons we independently earn a living through the group’s commitment, perseverance and hardwork, we are faced by a big challenge of a minimal market for the detergent we make.” Wanjiku says.

In a month, the group makes up to 140 liters of the detergent of which can be used in both washing and cleaning for both domestic and premises. Wanjiku says that the poor market leads to the group internally selling the detergents to the members hence a reduced profit for the members do not get it at the same price as that of outsiders.

The group is now calling on all the disabled persons to read from the Wachache group’s script and refrain from the vice of begging for money and instead get ways that they can independently earn a living.

“All disabled persons should learn to live without depending on freebies, it is only a matter of making a decision of dropping the habit of begging and get ways to earn a living through doing what they are capable of.” Said the group’s coordinator Mr George Otieno.

This group is among very few groups of disabled persons who have formed groups to enable the lot to make ways of making people living with disability earn a living without depending on begging from the people perceived to be physically enabled.

They have decided to make their common problems a common wealth and they say that, making and selling detergents, purchasing and hiring a tent and plastic seats and offering the car washing services is not the end of their plans. Though they refused to disclose their future plans they assured that they look forward to a very bright future where by even the physically able persons will be forced to copy the way of doing things from them.

“Our creativity, courage to step out of the cocoon of disability and confidence to try new things will turn to be the talk of the country in a very near future.” The chairman Mr. Mwangi assures when we depart.

c 2013, John Kamau. All rights reserved. Newstime Africa content cannot be reproduced in any form ? electronic or print ? without prior consent of the Publishers. Copyright infringement will be pursued and perpetrators prosecuted.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
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Catholic Sisters support disabled

spyghana.com
By Today Ghana

Administrator of the Centre of Hope of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM,) Rev. Sr. Mary Kpiebare, has called on Ghanaians to support persons who are physically-challenged to make life bearable for them.

She said physically-challenged persons have talents which if developed can enable them use their brains, hands, and legs to engage in economic activities to earn a living.

Rev. Sr. Kpiebare made these remarks when she received food items, soaps, assorted drinks, pens, rulers, tooth brushes, detergents among others on Easter Monday from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Akweteyman in Accra.

The church presented the items to the Centre in support of less- privileged persons who go there on a daily basis for help.

According to her, her outfit supports the aged who are weak and do not get any help from anywhere. “…We also get support from benevolent organisations.”

Rev. Sr. Kpiebare expressed appreciation to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church-Akweteyman, for the gesture and urged others to also remember the needy by making generous donations.

Against this background, she pledged that the items would be used for the purpose for which they were donated.

She was supported by her Assistant Administrators, Rev. Sr. Pualine Bodi and Sr. Justina Ali.

For his part, the Secretary and Chancellor of the Accra Archdiocese and Priest in charge of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Akweteyman- Accra, Rev. Sr. John Patrick Tindana, who presented the items, said it is the practice of the church to support the less-privileged in society.

He added that apart from praying for the needy it is also prudent to support them physically.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.spyghana.com/catholic-sisters-support-disabled/

Gambia Association of Physically Disabled Received Vehicle

AllAfrica.com
9 APRIL 2013

The Gambia Association of Physically Disabled (GAPD) Brikama branch recently received a vehicle from a donation made by the Heart for Gambia Foundation at a ceremony held at the GAPD head office in Brikama, West Coast Region.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Abdoulie Jawneh, the president of GAPD, spoke at length on his organisations' contribution towards national development, saying that his members have been engaged in meaningful development in the country. According to him, a good number of disabled persons with skills are working in many sectors of the society especially in public offices.

GADP, he informed, has a membership of one hundred and seventy-six including both male and female. He therefore called on other disabled persons especially those in the West Coast Region to join the organisation so as to enjoy some benefits like trainings, exchange visits among others.

With the help of partners like Heart for Gambia Foundation, he revealed GADP has built a skill training centre in Brikama, which he said, has trained many disabled persons in the region including tailoring, tie and dye, computer, soap making and batik. Jawneh said the foundation has also given scholarships to some students in the area who are pursuing education at the University of The Gambia, GTTI, MDI among other higher institutions of learning.

He thus commended the foundation for the gesture and thanked the government of The Gambia for creating the enabling environment for the private sector to operate smoothly in the country; and Governor Lamin Sanneh of West Coast Region for allocating a piece of land to GADP to build its office and skill centre.

GAPD president called on others to support organisations for the disabled in the country to enable them play their part in national development.

The donation of the vehicle, Jawneh said, would ease their transportation problems, while assuring the donors that the vehicle will be used and handled with care. Author: by Samba Jawo

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304091386.html

Disabled International Foundation feeds less Privilege Children

Awoko

Disabled International Foundation Sierra Leone, on Monday, fed less privilege children in the east end of Freetown.

According to the Founder and Executive Director, Madam Imambay Kadie Kamara said she always has a passion to help young people especially the less-fortunate and disabled people, even when she is not in the country and that she thought it wise to provide some things for the lees-privileged in order for them to celebrate Easter.

She said she provided funds for different children right across the country, as part of her work in creating a platform for the children to be together and have some fun, as they are the future of the nation, even if she is not around, but she still has the less-privileged children and disabled at heart and always try to come to their aid.

She explained that Disabled International Foundation Sierra Leone (DIFSIL) which was officially launched some few weeks ago in the United Kingdom, over the years played a vital role in helping to develop the mind of the disabled in the country and that the foundation is also working alongside the less-privileged children which always give joy in restoring the pride of the golden future of the nation.

She said the foundation will soon start a project that will see the disabled and the less privileged fully engage themselves and learn something, so that at the end of the day, they would be able to secure a living.

According to 9 year-old Salamia Deen Karimu, the initiative of bringing them together is very good, because as children, they really appreciate the founder for thinking of them and providing food for them during such a big holiday, is something they as children are really proud of.

Young Salamia said it’s an unexpected party and they enjoy each and every segment of the program and would like to appeal to the founder to continue with it, for them and also to continue the good work of bringing the children together and that the Executive Director who presently resides in London, demonstrated to them that distance is nothing, when it comes to love and passion for the children.

By Nancy Koroma

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://awoko.org/2013/04/10/disabled-international-foundation-feeds-less-privilege-children/

Gambia: Coker-Njie Family Foundation Gives to Disabled Children

AllAfrica.com
BY MOMODOU FAAL, 10 APRIL 2013

The Coker-Njie Family Foundation Sunday presented food items and clothing to seven disabled children in the Greater Banjul Area.

The Foundation, which is run by a Gambian couple based in Sweden, Ebou Njie and Saffie Coker, supports disabled children in The Gambia. Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer at Tallinding, the chief executive officer of the Foundation, Ebou Njie, explained that what actually inspired them to come up with such an initiative is that they have a 14-year-old child who is also suffering from disability.

He noted that sometimes parents of disabled children find it very difficult to manage them. He further noted that sometimes people associate disability with evil forces.

He disclosed that they have already bought a land in the Kombos where a day care centre will be built for people with disability. He added that plans are also underway to buy vehicles that would transport the children to the day care centre upon its completion.

Dembo Badjie, the father of one of the beneficiaries, thanked the Foundation for the good gesture. He said children with disability should always be supported, and urged parents to always make them proud all the time and take good care of them.

Ya Mam Jobe, mother to one of the beneficiaries, said that members of the Foundation have always been encouraging her and her child. She thanked them and also urged them to continue the good work they are doing in the country.

For his part, Assan Njie, a father of the CEO of the Foundation, said that children with physical disability should not be discriminated against in society because they are equally important in the development of the society.

Among the places visited during the presentation were Kanifing, Abuko and Tallinding, among others.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304101317.html

Gambia: Mathematics Teachers' Enrichment Programme Underway

AllAfrica.com
BY ADAMA K. JALLOW, 10 APRIL 2013

Sixty Mathematics teachers from both the Junior and Senior Secondary Schools from across the Greater Banjul Area are currently undergoing a mathematics teachers' enrichment programme, at the St. John's School for the Deaf in Kanifing.

The theme of the programme, which was centred on "Problem-solving Approaches and Techniques III", is expected to end today.

The programme which is an enhancement and development programme for mathematics teachers was meant to increase performances and lesson delivery skills and pedagogies in classrooms.

Speaking to The Point on Monday, the Executive Director of the programme, Kolapo Abdul, said the course involves modulo arithmetics, calculus, vectors and mechanics/ linear transformation, statistics, among others.

He said the effort of the programme is to deal with silent and seemingly difficult topics in the GABEGE, WASSCE and partly IGCSE syllabus.

He said the development of human resources is a core factor in the learning and teaching of mathematics education in schools.

Mr. Abdul thanked the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mathematics Teachers' Association The Gambia (MATAG), Center for Education in Mathematics and Computing, Canada, principals of schools, for their support and cooperation.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304100826.html

There is ability in disability

Mmegi Online
CHIPPA LEGODIMO
STAFF WRITER

Before he died, visually impaired Donald Botshelo(Don B) sang the song 'There is ability in Disability' in Mac Dee's Face to Face.

To some, such a song might have only sounded like an expression of a personal experience by the talented vocalist.

True to the Banyana Ba Serowe singer's words, another visually impaired graduate of the music school is poised to make it to the top of the music ladder.

Kenny Sekgwa is the latest music rodigy to emerge from the institution that also taught musician Anna Fiki-Ditau. Sekgwa's life story is touching. He was not born blind, but lost his sight after a vicious attack by a group of gangsters in his home village of Gumare when he was 16 years old.

His life has changed completely since that day and he has had to deal with rejection from even people he considered close friends.

The incident left him completely blind after he was attacked with wooden planks, knives and stones. Although at first the experience left the 26- year-old hopeless, he later made a decision to find meaning in life. Today he is proud to have conquered his demons.

His album Bontlenyane- an Afro-pop composition with eight tracks- is all about love.

"I think love is a precious gift and everybody needs it.

You can have everything, but if there is no love, it all counts for nothing but you can have love and very little of everything and life will be good," he said.

In all the songs the singer used descriptive words to explain the beauty of love, especially in intimate relations. With his soft voice, Sekgwa sounded a lot composed in studio despite that it was his first attempt.

The title track Bontlenyane is enough to get any listener's attention and give a synopsis of what might be contained in the record.

By the time he died, Botshelo had grown into a respected musician whose artistry transcended beyond just disco music. He was featured by several musicians including Afro-pop outfit Tu-Unik and it is this kind inspiration that should propel Sekwa to dizzy heights.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=7&aid=423&dir=2013/April/Wednesday10

Tanzania: Rotary to Provide Free Ear Moulds in Dar

AllAfrica.com
BY FATMA ABDU, 11 APRIL 2013

ROTARY Club of Dar es Salaam has joined the Starkey Foundation of the United States in conducting a free Medical Hearing Aid Camp in Dar-es-Salaam.The service shall be offered at Buguruni School for the Deaf, where over 1,500 persons will be examined and free ear moulds will be provided to the needy.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, the organizer of the Starkey Foundation and a member of Clinton Global Initiative (CGI),Mr Derek Johnson, said that the camp will be run from April 16 - 19 this year, where a number of specialist doctors will conduct careful examinations and then recommend the needy persons with hearing aid equipment.

"We will provide these equipments for free to all the needy. The Foundation's team of audiologists and staff will fit each of the more than 1,500 selected recipients with their own customized, digital hearing device," he noted.

Mr Johnson said that the camp is part of their global mission to provide one million hearing aides to the needy in this decade, and is locally supported by Rotary Club of Dar-es-Salaam, Sound Seekers and Lions International.

Commenting on the project, the president of the Rotary club, Mr Vinary Choudary, said that Rotary Club has decided to join hands with Starkey Foundation in this project because they believe it will bring a big change in the community especially for those with hearing problems.

"We are delighted to work together for the betterment of our community", said the Rotary president.Mr Vinay further appealed to the general public to take note of the medical camp, and utilize the free service provided to this community through Starkey Foundation.

He also insisted that, the members of Rotary, Rotaract and Interact will provide the voluntary services at this medical camp and all services provided through this mission are completely free.

Rotarians, Lions and professional volunteers commonly assist at the Foundation's missions where they witness the life changing impact of this cause and support recipients as they are fitted with their new hearing aids.

He said that as part of the mission, recipients also receive audio testing, counselling and instruction on how to care for their new devices, all courtesy of Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Starkey Hearing Foundation is bringing understanding among individuals and communities through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection and treatment, so the world may hear.

And it gives more than 100,000 hearing aids annually, and as a member of President Clinton's Global Initiative, it has pledged to fit one million hearing aids this decade.

Rotary International is a voluntary service organization and its main objective is to provide services in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe.The 1.2 million Rotarians who make up more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to the ideal of services.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304110277.html

Participation of the disabled in politics to improve - Voice-Ghana

Vibe Ghana April 13, 2013 | Filed under: Latest news,Politics | Posted by: VibeGhana

A project initiated in the Volta Region in 2012 to draw people with disabilities into political events is likely to shake-off apathy of the disabled towards politics in Ghana in the coming years.

The project, executed in Agortime-Ziope, Adaklu and South-Dayi, constituencies, sought to raise the confidence levels of people with disabilities to participate in politics, tackle issues of physical access of the disabled to political events, including political party rallies and polling stations.

The project also lobbied the Electoral Commission of Ghana, EC, to engage the physically challenged for the various jobs in the electoral process.

VOICE-Ghana, which is a disability interest advocacy group, headquartered in Ho, undertook the project, supported by Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness in Ghana, (STAR-Ghana), with funds from the DFID, EU, DANIDA and USAID.

Presenting an overview of the project in an interaction with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Francis Asong Director of VOICE-Ghana, said the project was based on a “baseline survey in the Agortime-Ziofe and Adaklu constituencies to ascertain the level of participation of persons with disabilities in the previous elections particularly the 2008 general elections”.

He said the survey indicated that people with disabilities were sidelined in the political process, hardly visible in the campaign processes and virtually had no opportunities to work as Polling Assistants.

Mr Asong said as part of the advocacy, VOICE-Ghana, organized the disabled in the project areas, engaged the EC and the media in a series of education, awareness creation, outreach and publicity events.

He said concerns raised during such forums include inaccessibility to political party rally venues and offices, the shunning of issue of disability as policy issues and election related jobs for the disabled.

Mr Asong said the advocacy also targeted persons with disabilities at the grassroots level, particularly women to raise their involvement in national assignments.

He said 18 people with disabilities were engaged as Polling Assistants during the last elections as a result of the project.

Mr Asong said one of them, Ms Patricia Deku, 36, a Dressmaker with National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) qualification who was a Polling Assistant at the Salvation Army Primary School Polling Station at Adaklu-Abuadi was cited by her supervisors as “very efficient”.

Togbe Gabi II, a Tutor at Adaklu-Waya Senior High School and Presiding Officer, said Ms Deku ensured that the structural arrangements at the polling centre were disability friendly.

The VOICE-Ghana overview report referred to Ms Deku as saying the job of a Polling Assistant in the past elections raised her social standing and probably encouraged many other disabled people to exercise their franchise.

Mr Jonathan Okaine, Agortime-Ziope District Director of the EC, told the GNA that some of the disabled engaged in the last elections by the EC performed well and could be good candidates for selection the next time if “they made themselves available”. GNA

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://vibeghana.com/2013/04/13/participation-of-the-disabled-in-politics-to-improve-voice-ghana/

Kenya: Give Us Cabinet Slot, Disabled Ask Uhuru

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities has asked President Uhuru and his Deputy William Ruto to consider appointing a person with disability as a cabinet secretary.

Speaking in Narok town yesterday during an advocacy workshop fpeople with disabilities, the Council's finance and administration chairman David ole Sankok said the two leaders should respect the constitution and ensure an all-inclusive government that will meet the aspirations of Kenyans.

"The new constitution has given all equal opportunity and chapter 54 is clear that four percent of the total government appointments should be marginalised groups including persons with disabilities," Sankok said.

He said he will take legal action if the government fails to honour the constitution in appointing civil servants. "It is high time the government appoints people with disabilities who are robust, educated and focused. The disability is not inability and we are ready to save this nation diligently," he said.

Sankok called upon the two principals to emulate former president Mwai Kibaki who ensured the welfare of disabled persons are catered for.

He said Sh6 billion which was meant for run-off should be used to benefit special interest groups. The Council's Director Phoebe Nyagudi appealed to county governments to employ people with disabilities. She asked leaders not to use their positions to reward their supporters but to ensure marginalised people hold key posts.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304150256.html

State aid doubled for widows, divorcees and the disabled

Libya Herald
Hadi Fornaji
Tripoli, 14 April 2013:

Payments by the state to widows, divorcees and the disabled are to be doubled following a vote today by the GNC.

Congress, acting on a recommendation from its Social Affairs committee, agreed to raise the monthly sum paid out to these three groups from LD225 to LD450. In addition, the payment to which every Libyan family is entitled, is being doubled to LD150 a month. It is understood that the money will come from the Solidarity Fund.

Congress has yet to implement child benefit payments of LD100 a month, on which it has agreed. The money will be paid until children reach the age of 18.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/04/14/state-aid-doubled-for-widows-divorcees-and-the-disabled/

We’re One Body: Lauren Booth’s Message in Cairo For Humanity and Peace We Strive

Onislam.net
By Shahira Mahran
OnIslam.net's Staff
Sunday, 14 April 2013 00:00

Booth, a broadcaster, journalist and a human rights activist, showed deep interest in bringing "Allah's Plan for people" to Egypt... Lanterns of light dawned on the black-robed Muslim Lauren Booth in Cairo Citadel, Egypt, on Friday, April 12.

Spiritual tranquility of Friday and An-Nasir Ibn Qalawuun mosque were combined with the passionate and vibrant spirit of Da'wah shown by Ahlan team, who hosted the event. Midad and Sufraa Al-Hidayah societies, Egypt -based national organizations, also sponsored the event.

At Egypt's most critical times, Booth, a broadcaster, journalist and a human rights activist, showed deep interest in bringing what she referred to as "Allah's Plan for people" to Egypt, after Palestine and Iraq.

"I believe that there are so many poor people in Egypt who need help", Booth said.

Ahlan is a group of Muslim youth aiming at spreading Da`wah through what Lauren defines as "Da'wah Toursim."

The event reflected the real Lauren, a humble dignified human activist whose main mission is to "make others in need feel happy."

Smiles and joy reflected on Lauren’s face as she said, "In Islam, happiness means that if you are OK, I am OK", and that is how Islam changed her outlook on life. For Lauren, happiness is more about helping and sustaining the needy and that is the spirit she lives by after conversion. A Fighter for Humanity

In the hypostyle scheme, amid the standard pattern of a rectangular courtyard, few meters away from the sanctuary and the arcades of the mosque, Lauren was more than happy to share her journey to Islam.

She was crowned by her pink downed headscarf, similar to the facades of the mosque that were crowned by the arched crenellations.

The facades resemble the battlements of a fortress, and similarly did Lauren, a fighter for peace legacy of Islam and humanity.

Islam in the Western media is least favorite religion, yet, she said, "Islam makes us happy."

Smiles and joy reflected on Lauren’s face as she said, "In Islam, happiness means that if you are OK, I am OK", and that is how Islam changed her outlook on life. For her, happiness is more about helping and sustaining the needy and that is the spirit she lives by after conversion.

Tremendous shifting of careers from being a fashion editor to a human rights activist, Lauren demonstrates the real example of a Muslim female ambassador of Islam.

She raised money to charity Interpal in 2006, followed by delivering aids and balloons to a deaf school in Gaza. Despite all the attempts to block her work, she was adamant to pursue her fight for the incapable ones. She believes Gaza is "the largest concentration camp in the world today", even though she was not Muslim at that time.

The Palestinian spirit of satisfaction and gratitude to Allah triggered Booth’s first thoughts of converting to Islam. Even before Islam, she was a pro-Palestinian resistance against the Zionist-Jewish occupation.

“Lauren came to Egypt with a Palestinian family who taught her about Islam. They never left Gaza; so she felt she should bring them with her to enjoy a vacation in Cairo.” Lamia Ibrahim, head of media section of Ahlan Team, told Onislam.net.

Indeed, Lauren has lived up to Islamic principles which caused her to establish more humanitarian projects.

This week, Lauren Booth escorted with her husband, Sohale Ahmed, will head to Gaza to bring computers, solar chargers and children's toys to Gaza.

Lauren's Post-Conversion Humanitarian Efforts

In March 2012, Lauren headed towards Palestine escorted by a group of Irish activists. The "Freedom & Friendship Delegation 2012" delegation filmed a documentary which was played in the event. "Derry friends of Palestine", a group from the city of Derry in Ireland, organized the event.

On recent Cairo visit, Lauren said, 'I cannot forget Gaza." She added passionately, "Do not forget Palestine." Her true feelings of sympathy and deep care for the Palestinians reached its climax when she burst in tears that were followed by a two-second moment of silence, as she asked Allah to answer her prayers for the Palestinian case.

The delegation of March 2012 aimed at building educational links with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and University students. It successfully bore outstanding fruits.

In a response obtained by OnIslam.net Lauren said, “There are so many Muslims who are oppressed worldwide. We should remember Bangladesh and Moscow too.”

Ahlan is a group of Muslim youth aiming at spreading Da`wah through what Lauren defines as "Da'wah Toursim."

Peace 2012

Resuming her superb efforts for humanity, Lauren established "Peace 2012",
a Da’wah charity organization located in the UK.

The Organization assists Muslim converts especially families in need. She hopes it will sustain poor children who will feel happy upon "playing with toys" and who will be able to learn when they get "school supplies."

According to the organization's website, the first year of Peace 2012 yielded the following benefits: assisted UK Muslim revert sisters financially and socially, re-housed Muslims in financial hardship both in the UK and Gaza, paid the university fees of Palestinian students in Gaza; distributed `Eid gifts to orphans and financially assisted widows, and assisted patients in Pakistan and Palestine medically.

This week, Lauren Booth, escorted with her husband, Sohale Ahmed, will head to Gaza to bring computers, solar chargers and children's toys to Gaza.

Yossr Yasser, a passionate about Islam, attended the event, said, "Today's event was so inspirational, Lauren Booth made tears come out of the eyes of many who were there while she was telling her story of conversion to Islam; I loved being there in this blessed atmosphere."

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.onislam.net/english/family/muslims-4-humanity/462251-were-one-body-lauren-booths-message-in-cairo.html

Beggars turn to vending to survive

The Zimbabwe Standard
April 14, 2013 in Community News

SCORES of disabled people who used to survive on begging have joined the vending business in Bulawayo.

Report by Musa Dube

Among these are the mute, deaf and others with various disabilities.
The illegal vendors sell a variety of stuff ranging from sweets, airtime, cellphone accessories and cigarettes, just to mention but a few.

One of the people with disabilities, Elliot Ncube of Tshabalala suburb, told The Standard that he used to beg in the streets but decided to venture into the more lucrative vending business.

“Since 2000 I have been begging in the street, but I could spend the whole day without getting a dollar, so last year I decided to start vending. I sell airtime cards, cigarettes and sweets,” he said.

“Selling is better than begging because due to the economic crisis in the city, no one can just give anyone anything for nothing,” added Ncube.

Another vendor, Elizabeth Ngwe-nya said she used to work for a clothing company in the Belmont industrial area in Bulawayo but got retrenched in 2009.

“I did a course in cutting and designing and used to work for a clothing company but unfortunately I was retrenched.

“After losing my job I wanted to start my own small sewing company at home, but I did not have the machines and capital and that’s why I am here on the streets selling anything for survival,” said the 24-year-old woman.

The Bulawayo City Council and the police appear to be lenient when it comes to arresting the disabled vendors selling their wares on the streets.

“The city fathers have been generous with us, as they have never arrested us and we would have loved them to give us proper vending bays where we can operate from,” said Ngwenya.

She said operating on the streets exposed them to various problems such as contracting diseases.

‘It’s difficult for the disabled to secure employment’

Bulawayo’s King George VI Centre school head, Perseverance Hadebe, said most of their students were facing challenges in securing employment upon completing their studies due to economic challenges and the negative attitude of some employers.

King George VI is a centre for the disabled and teaches a wide range of academics, arts and vocational skills.

“Our students are struggling to get employment. The very few that are getting employment get it through the relationship that we have with the companies, for example Femina Garments, that usually takes some of our former students,” said Hadebe.

“Soon after graduating, some of the students come back and work at the centre, but we still have a big challenge of where to take our students for employment,” she said.

Hadebe said the situation was being exacerbated by the failure of some of the students to proceed to tertiary education that demands mathematics, a subject that the students found difficult to pass.

“Even after completing their studies here, continuing to tertiary education and going to university is still a challenge. Our students are struggling with maths and we would want a scenario where our students probably could be allowed to do a different type of maths like core maths so that they will be able to pass and can be enrolled in various colleges and universities or polytechnics,” said Hadebe.

The school head challenged companies and relevant stakeholders to come to the school and see the excellent work that their students were doing.

“We call upon employers to partner with us and we also want them to visit and see how we operate. This would help them realise that our students are capable of excelling in whatever assignments they are given, ” said the school head.

Bulawayo hit by company closures

According to the Minister of Industry and Trade, Welshman Ncube, the total number of companies that have closed in Bulawayo has reached 100 since the establishment of the inclusive government.

The clothing and textile industry suffered the most.

Big clothing and textile companies such as Archer, Security Mills, Belmor, to mention but a few, have downsized production citing viability challenges while others have completely shut down resulting in over 25 000 workers losing jobs.

A number of these workers were physically handicapped.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.thestandard.co.zw/2013/04/14/beggars-turn-to-vending-to-survive/

Seek to become more valuable

Mmegi Online
The winners code
GEORGE CHINGARANDE

The adjective valuable is often used to refer to something that is worth a great deal of money or generally a thing of great worth. Although it is commonly used in association with things it has over the years been used to refer to people.

Common examples in today's parlance are, "The Most Valuable Player", which is typically an honour bestowed upon the best performing players in sports teams; and "The Most Valuable Customer", often used to allude to clients that bring in the most money in terms of purchases. There is one commonality among all things that are described as "most valuable". They all receive preferential treatment and are accorded a distinct status. Being valuable cannot be separated from being successful, and the most valuable people, or items for that matter, will always be sought after. What does it take to achieve the "most valuable" status? In this issue we explore a few ideas.

Do for people what they cannot do for themselves

Henry Van Dyke once observed that, "There is a loftier ambition than to merely stand high in the world. It is to stoop down and lift mankind a little higher." Most people are obsessed with being successful, and with reaching the highest peak there is to reach in life. That is commendable. However, if you succeed for the sake of succeeding and stand tall for the sake of standing tall, you will be of limited value.

The question we all need to ask ourselves is of what use am I and to who. You are of little use to a baker if you can bake bread just as he can bake bread. You will be of little use to me, if you can do things that I can do for myself. The most valuable person is the one who learns to do for others what they cannot do for themselves.

A blind man who has no eyes appreciates somebody who can show him where the way is. A deaf man who cannot hear appreciates someone who can communicate to him messages that he would not otherwise understand.

Everyone, both great and small, has a need. Your boss has needs. Your customers have needs. Your friends and colleagues have needs. Society around you has needs. It is impossible for you to fulfill people's needs and remain of little value to them. Your value increases in proportion to your ability to fulfill people's needs. Our greatest need is for someone who can do for us the things that we cannot do for ourselves. We are all looking for someone who can stoop down and lift us a little higher.

If you are going to be valuable you must begin from the premise that you have something to offer. Often we tend to look down upon ourselves and underestimate what we have to offer. Rowan Atkinson may not be a rocket scientist, but he has something to offer. In his case it is simple humour and comedy. You too have something unique to offer. What you must always bear in mind is that what you have becomes more valuable when you share it.

Your talent is of little value if it is of no good to somebody. The gifts that we have invariably increase in value when we learn to share them with others. What makes sports people valuable is not that they out compete others, but that in the process of doing this they provide entertainment to the vast majority of us who are otherwise incapable of entertaining ourselves in that manner.

Teach others to do what they cannot do for themselves

Most octogenarians remember very well who their first teacher was. This is also true for most of us. We may not remember what we were doing or who we were with on the most recent Christmas eve, but invariably we remember vividly our first teachers in primary schools. It is difficult to forget people that change our lives. In a very simple way, our first teachers introduced us to the world of reading and writing. Since then our lives have never been the same. People that teach us to do what we could not hitherto do for ourselves always change our destinies, and in the process become very valuable. Therefore you must always seek to teach people to do for themselves what they think they cannot do. That is true empowerment.

Develop the talent that you have not the one that you want There is a story that is often told about an illiterate old farmer who was selling his cow. A potential buyer asked him what the pedigree of his cow was; its butterfat production and its monthly milk yield. The bewildered farmer said, "I really don't know its pedigree. Neither do I know its butterfat production nor its monthly milk yield.

However, one thing I know is that it will give you all the milk that it has." The value of the milk cow was linked to the milk that it could give. This is also true of your value. If you have very little to give; and when you have given your all, you will have added very little value. For you to be of great value to others and to yourself you need first of all to develop the talent that you already have.

The greatest mistake we make is to try and develop the talents that we do not have. If your ability as an athlete ranks as a two out of 10, and you improve it by two points you become a four out of 10 athletes. With this remarkable improvement, you will still be of little use to anyone as an athlete. However, if you rank seven out of 10 as a motivational speaker and you improve by two points you will become world class. In both cases you improved by two points but the improvement in your area of strength and talent makes you much more valuable.Seek always to improve in your area of talent if you are to be valuable.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=2&aid=550&dir=2013/April/Monday15

Uganda: 'Make Marriage Bill Disability-Sensitive'

AllAfrica.com
BY YUDAYA NANGONZI, 15 APRIL 2013

Following the current debate on the Marriage and Divorce Bill, National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (Nudipu) says some sections in the bill have not catered for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in any way. Board Chairman Francis Kinubi told journalists at his offices in Bukoto on Friday, that the bill used derogatory language.

He questioned the use of 'unsound' mind in section 27, as one of the grounds for objecting to marriage. He said such a section presupposes that the mentally-challenged are unfit to contract a relationship. He further challenged section 19, which provides for a notice in civil marriage, which does not take care of persons with visual impairments. Nudipu Programme Manager Esther Kyozira said the notice board policy should be provided for in accessible format.

"Braille should be in place at every notice to guide the visually-impaired or government to hire people to read for them what is on the notice," Kyozira said.

However, Nudipu supports Section 117, which provides for property agreements as these would protect PWDs from unscrupulous individuals.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304160155.html

EU grants for Libyan CSOs

Libya Herald-2013/04/15
BY HADI FORNAJI TRIPOLI, 15 APRIL 2013-

Ten civil society organisations have been awarded grants by the European Union for short-term projects across the country to help women, young people and the disadvantaged.

Out of 105 initial applicants, 18 were preselected and were given training to develop a successful application. Out of these, 10 were selected, and are being given a grant ranging from ?7,000 (LD 12,000) to ?10,000 LD 17,000) for projects over an eight-month period in Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Sebha, Murzuk and Sirte.

The awarded projects cover several objectives:

Establishing a training centre for women;
providing classes for literacy of housewives;
setting up a social and medical centre for child support;
setting a computer training centre and an activity centre to enhance the skills of youth;
opening a sewing factory for youth with special needs;
creation of several school gardens;
a charity clinic for children ;
strengthening the capacity of Almal Association for the deaf and hard of hearing.

The organisations were selected under the Small Grants Scheme conducted by the EU-funded project Civil Initiatives Libya. It aims to help the emergence of Libyan civil society through various forms of support - such as providing necessary workspace and training.

This scheme is the first EU sub-grant programme implemented in Libya,

The EU mission in Libya called the number of applications a “very encouraging” sign for launching similar schemes in the future, and for future cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Civil Society.

At the award ceremony in Tripoli last week, Suzanne Kodsi, Head of Operations at the EU Delegation, stressed that direct support to Libyan organisations is a priority for the EU.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/04/15/eu-grants-for-libyan-csos/

Gambia: Sports Minister, U.S. Ambassador Laud GBA

AllAfrica.com
BY ALIEU CEESAY & PRINCE ALBERT TOURAY, 16 APRIL 2013

The minister of Youth and Sports Honourable Alieu K. Jammeh, Saturday acknowledged the good work done by the Gambia Basketball Association (GBA) under the presidency of Muhammed Papa Njie. He was speaking to reporters in a brief interview at the end of an All-Star Game organised for the first time by the country's governing body.

Speaking at the Basketball Lawn of the Independence Stadium in Bakau, Minister Jammeh said basketball was dying in The Gambia and "something like this was not happening. So I want to thank them for taking the bull by the horn to revitalise the game". "We want to see a variety of sports picking up and basketball is one of them and if you are doing that, you are opening doors for those not good in football to play basketball," he stated, while acknowledging the support of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) and all those who supported the GBA. "There is a bright future for this game, as you know everything starts small and the momentum is building and there is no doubt that they go down to the regions. As you know during the NAYCONF, we saw all the regions taking part in basketball and that goes to show you that there are talents down there who can do well in basketball," he a remarked.

Minister Jammeh also revealed that they are getting funds to improve the standard of sporting facilities in the regions. "Government is coming again with partners to improve the standards and it is all part of the decentralisation process. We are not going to focus only one or two sporting disciplines," he added.

Also speaking to journalists, the United States ambassador to The Gambia, Edward M Alford, who revealed that he is a basketball fan, said he was happy to be present at such a historic occasion in the annals of Gambia's basketball history.

"The [US] Embassy sponsored the 3-on-3 tournament [recently in The Gambia] which was successful and I think this country needs more facilities, good basketball courts, good coaches because there are good talents," he stated further, while assuring of the US Embassy's continued support. He also hailed the GBA for trying to revitalise basketball in the country. The All-Star Game brought together 24 of the best players from all the registered teams currently playing in the domestic league. The players were split into two teams and the game was meant amongst other things to show the GBA's appreciation to those institutions and individuals that have contributed immensely to the successful organisation of the league for the first time in over eight years.

The event began with an exhibition game between the female teams of The Gambia Armed Forces and Saint Augustine's with the former securing a narrow 9 points to 8 win. Fanta Sallah was voted the most valuable player for the game and was awarded a trophy. The Old Hands team in the likes of Mama Jeng, Binneh Marong, Yassin Joof Jow, Awa Foon, Mbaheh Camara and others took on the younger players for a 10-minute game. The game was exciting and was one of the main highlights of the day. Old Hands defeated the younger players.

The final game of the night was the much-anticipated All-Star Game. It was contested between Yellow and Green Teams. The game went down to the wire with players showing their slam dunk and three point shooting skills. Yellow Team 60-57.

The game was also witnessed by the First Vice President and sub-Saharan Africa's first female IOC Member, Beatrice Allen; the executive members of the GNOC, Director of Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Executive Secretary of The Gambia Competition Commission, General Manager Home Finance Company, Director of Business Development, Gambia Ports Authority, and the entire executive of the Association amongst others. During the games, the association presented certificates of appreciation to the GNOC for the financial and moral support it gave during the year. According to the GBA, the GNOC provided the association with funds to normalise their affiliation with FIBA (the International Basketball Federation) and as a result, 300 basketballs were given to the Association to help promote the sport in the country. The GNOC also provided 100 balls making a total of 400. In all tournaments, the GNOC the GBA added provided financial and material resources to ensure the success of the games. "It also went further provide to four giant trophies: two for male and female league champions and two for the runners up" the GBA added.

Ambassador Alford was also awarded a certificate of appreciation for his support to the sport. The Embassy sponsored a 3-on-3 basketball tournament which saw players from different ages display their talent. The tournament was also meant to empower the youths through basketball and sensitise them on the realities of HIV AIDS. Africell as co-sponsor were also presented with a certificate. Trust Bank Gambia Limited who donated $1,000 (one thousand dollars) for the airlifting of the 300 basketballs from the FIBA Africa Office in Ivory Coast to Banjul was also awarded a certificate of appreciation for its support to sports development, particularly basketball. Certificates were also awarded to the referees for their dedication to the game; and some sports journalists for covering the games. Distribution of basketballs

The All-Star Game also witnessed the distribution of basketballs by the GBA to basketball teams, Primary School Sports, Secondary School Sports, Regional Sport Coordinators, University of The Gambia, Gambia Paralympics, Gambia Deaf Association, and Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia amongst others.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304161248.html

Kenya: Ministry Warns Over Disabled Children

AllAfrica.com
BY REUBEN OLITA, 17 APRIL 2013

THE Ministry of Education at the weekend warned parents and teachers against discriminating children with disabilities. Busia County Director Mary Atalitsa said no child is indispensable than the other, thus the need to give them preferential treatment.

Speaking at the closure of Nzoia regional special games in Busia, Atalitsa said a parent will be considered special if he or she takes care of disabled persons.

"Be interested in your child being closer with the teacher and teachers too should ensure disabled children under their custody are well catered for.

The Ministry of Education will do everything possible to ensure that all disabled pupils or students in learning institutions receive equal education opportunities.

Ms Atalitsa warned parents who have tendencies of hiding their children from the public owing to their deformities that their days are numbered.

"God had reasons for bringing such children into the world to warrant such kind of treatment from their parents or guardians," Atalitsa said.

Regional chairman Christopher Wandera appealed to the government to help fund the association to enable people with disabilities feature in extra curriculum activities.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304171459.html

Liberia: Disabled Press for Reparation From Government

AllAfrica.com
17 APRIL 2013

The Liberian disabled community is pressing the Government of Liberia to pay them reparation following years of rebellions which left thousands of them dead and disabled.

The erstwhile Truth and Reconciliation Commission or TRC's final report on reparation states that: "The civil war left all Liberians with scares for life but there are thousands others who continue to carry physical disabilities including war-related particles in their bodies."

It further says: "While individual reparation programs may be economically difficult, the state is obliged to address the continued physical wounds and provide for those disabled and made completely destitute by the war, in addition to community based direct and/or symbolic reparation. This component will seek to address both aims."

The lead campaigner, Association of Disabled Females International (ADFI), in league with the war-survivors, is seeking reparation from the Liberian Government for all key war victims.

Madam Maima Hoff, ADFI's Executive Director, also visually impaired (blind) for almost 21 years now due to the war civil, expressed the belief that being disabled did not mean the end of their lives.

She said they were bearing the scars of the conflict and not the children of those who brought the war to the country, stressing that they, therefore, needed reparation for sustenance.

"The war importers' children are abroad schooling at the best institutions, while we are here suffering from what they brought upon us," Maima tearfully stated.

She spoke when the community launched its campaign for reparation payment at the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinions (CEIO) Tuesday in Monrovia. The ceremony brought together both local and international observers.

Maima, who does not know the physical appearance (look) of her own children since becoming blind, appealed for public partnership in their demand for reparation.

"It is not easy to be a disabled having been blind for almost 21 years now. The children I gave birth to, I do not know how they look like, including you sitting before me as I speak," she dejectedly stated.

The Liberian civil war was characterized by massacres with at least 155 sites identified. Consultations in many communities show that many more sites were yet to be identified and recognized.

The aim of memoralization component is to create an enabling space to humanize and honor victims of the war and document national regrets and apology for the violation they suffered.

The community-based memoralization process will help communities develop and own a share, as well as reconcile narratives as the basis for community healings and recovery.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304170838.html

We’ve been left out in election petition: Persons with disability fume

Myjoyonline.com
From: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Isaac Essel
Published On: April 17, 2013, 00:00 GMT

The hearing is live on television

The Ghana Federation of the Disabled is livid because a section of its members have been kept in the dark in the ongoing election petition hearing at the Supreme Court.

According to the president of the federation, Mr Yaw Ofori-Debrah, members have been left out on a number of national events that they ought to be a part. The hearing of the election petition filed by three leading members of the New Patriotic Party, is being broadcast live on the national television ? GTV - as well as radio, but no provisions were made for persons with hearing impairment, Mr Ofori-Debrah told Joy News on Wednesday.

He is therefore making a strong case for sign interpreters of the hearing, at least on TV.

He was of the view that persons with disability have a right to information, and for that matter, issues of national interest.

He argued that those without the ability to hear the processes in court also voted in the December 2012 elections, which means their votes, with respect to the court case would either be “counted or not counted” depending on the final ruling.

The president of the federation is therefore suggesting that persons with disability should have “equal right” like any other citizen in order to follow the processes.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201304/104612.php

Disabled Commissioner Angry with Ministry

Awoko

The Chief Commissioner of the newly-established Disability Commission, Frederick J.M Kamara, is angry with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs with regards the spate of alleged negligence exercised by its personnel.

Commissioner Frederick’s frustration was expressed at a workshop organized on Monday by the Initiative for Changing the Lives for Ultimate Disability Empowerment (INCLUDE), geared towards training police as well as court personnel, in sign language, for the benefit of the hearing- impaired in society, during which the Ministry had no representation, even when an invitation was sent to the office.

The visually-impaired Commissioner, noted with disdain, “I am totally disappointed with the lack of representation of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs in this auspicious occasion. This is the first ever training organized to train police and court personnel in sign language to aid the hearing-impaired, when they are found in conflict with the law or when their rights are being violated. It is therefore very sad to note that the Ministry did not make it a point of duty to attend; despite invitations sent to them” he lamented.

Mr. Kamara went on, “I will take up the matter with the Minister himself. Besides, this is not the first meeting they have made their absence felt. It has, of recent, been habitual, and we as a commission are not happy with this negative development” he stated.

However, despite the conspicuous absence of the Social Welfare Ministry, the representative of UNIPSIL Abdul Sidique made positive remarks on the essence of the training, considering the fact that sign language is a vital tool in communicating with the deaf and dumb.

He asserted that with UNIPSIL’s willingness to support issues relating to the empowerment of people with disability, they will give whatever support they deem necessary to foster the programme.

He stressed that promoting a training of this kind will help bridge the communication gap between the hearing impaired and the rest of the population, therefore, giving them a sense of belonging to the wider population.

He noted that it will also consolidate the basic fundamentals human rights; give the hearing-impaired the ability to defend their rights in a court of law and ultimately reduce psychological problems among the disabled.

The President of Sierra Leone Union of persons with Disability (SLUDI) Kabba F. Bangura re-echoed the essence of the training, especially when it is geared towards empowering the hearing impaired He observed that the country has not had a hearing-impaired graduate simply because there has never been training for public personnel to effectively communicate with this group of disabled people.

Executive Director for INCLUDE, Melrose Cotay, said that the five days training is just the beginning of more in-depth training in sign language communication for police and court personnel. And that they are working in collaborating with the judiciary and the police training school to effect the teaching of sign language.

She defined sign language as, unlike oral language, it is expressed without voice; manual communication and body language are used instead to convey meaning; and that it can be done with the combining of hand shapes, movement of hands, arms, body and facial expression.

Cotay noted that a survey was done in February to determine the number of court and police personnel that have knowledge in sign language, and the number of hearing-impaired persons that have access to the court system and their experiences towards justice. Some of the results obtained, she said, showed that personnel in the justice system have a desire for better communication with hearing- impaired persons and are eager to have knowledge in language communication.

As the training comes to a close on Friday, plans are underway to replicate the same training in institutions of relevance, in a bid to capture the target needed, to effectively actualize the knowledge on sign language among court and police personnel.

By Poindexter Sama

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://awoko.org/2013/04/17/disabled-commissioner-angry-with-ministry/

Gambia: SG Sarr - Gadhoh Will Advocate for Rights of the Deaf

AllAfrica.com-2013/04/19
BY MODOU LAMIN JAMMEH, 18 APRIL 2013

The secretary general of The Gambia Association of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GADHOH), has said that GADHOH will act as the main body demonstrating and advocating for the rights of the deaf. He expressed their resolve to collaborate with the media in creating awareness for the rights of the deaf. Abdoulie Sarr made these remarks on Saturday during GADHOH congress held at The Gambia College campus in Brikama. Members across the country attended the congress. "We will organise an extensive peaceful human rights demonstration to show solidarity with the deaf," he said.

Sarr explained that the long-term objective of the Association is to empower the Gambian deaf community so that they could have a strong positive identity and can act on equal basis with other people in the society. Their short-term objective, he added, is to have a stronger functioning Gambian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, so that, the board, and members of staff will become more conversant of their various roles and responsibilities. Sarr noted that deaf volunteers in different regions are mobilised in promoting deaf awareness, deaf culture, the importance of sign language, deaf advocacy and organisational development. For his part, Ousman Yarboe, the executive director of TANGO, described the meeting as important, saying it will enable the membership to know their lapses and make necessary adjustments. He expressed satisfaction for the fact that the leadership is doing their work as expected, whilst urging them to continue to work for the development of the Association. Yarboe assured TANGO's continuous support to GADHOH, promising that they will not be left behind. Muhammed Jaiteh, the chairperson of Brikama branch of the Association, revealed that they have a management committee which is responsible for decision-making. He said the branch has been operating a nursery school for the deaf and hard of hearing in Brikama since 2006. "The school has an enrollment of about 21 children and every year we send some children to the deaf school in Kanifing. We are also running a skills centre for deaf girls and women who dropped out of school or have no access to education," he revealed further. Jaiteh thanked The Gambia Government for their all time support.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304181619.html

Namibia: Namcor Profits Help Learners Learn

AllAfrica.com
BY WALDO, 19 APRIL 2013

The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) recently donated N$41,000 to the Gobabis Combined Project School and another N$41,000 to the School for the Hearing Impaired. The handover ceremony took place at the Gobabis Epako Community Hall.

The School for the Hearing Impaired in Windhoek was established in 1995 and has 165 the learners with special needs and caters for grades 1 to 10. Due to their special needs the learners require particular equipment and teaching aids to experience education without any further challenges.

The Gobabis Combined Project School was established in February 2012 and is home to 1083 learners in grades 1, 2, 8 and 9.

NAMCOR Managing Director, Mr. Obeth Kandjoze on behalf of the Board of Directors and employees handed over N$82,000 in total to the two schools to acquire the needed teaching aids.

Kandjoze at the handover ceremony said "NAMCOR will continuously grow our fuels, lubricants and exploration business in a manner that is sustainable and beneficial to Namibians and make sound contributions to needing and deserving children in our communities".

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304200055.html

Kenya: Disabled Union Asks for U.S.$23.8 Million

AllAfrica.com
BY KIPLANG'AT KIRUI, 19 APRIL 2013

The Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers has asked President Kenyataa to set aside Sh2 billion out of the Sh6 billion intended for run-off elections to person with disabilities.

Secretary General James Torome said the cash should go towards the improvement of special institutions and empower disabled traders.

Speaking in Narok town, she said: "One billion should be allocated to special colleges in Karen, Machakos and the other one billion to assist street vendors, shoe makers and others who need to uplift their living standards."

Torome asked MPs to enact a bill on learners with disability bill that was tabled in parliament by the former education minister at the AG's office.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304191343.html

A disability that has not turned his life upside down

The Hindu

Tamiru Zegeye who is trying to set the Guinness Record for longest distance travelled while balancing on crutches on one's hands. Photo: Special Arrangement

TOPICS
World
Ethiopia

people
accomplishment

Tamiru Zegeye stiffens his torso and swings his legs into the air with balletic grace. He is upside down now, his body balanced on a pair of spindly medical crutches, and then he runs. Legs in the air, hands placed firmly on the crutch supports, breathing steady, Tamiru runs; not with careless abandon, but with the precision, focus, and joy of a man who crawled for the first 15 years of his life.

Last weekend, a small crowd at the national stadium in Addis Ababa watched Tamiru run 76 metres in one minute in an attempt to set the Guinness world record for the longest distance travelled whilst balanced upside down, on a pair of crutches. The record is yet to be confirmed, but for Tamiru the attempt is a milestone in an extraordinary journey.

Tamiru Zegeye was born in 1983 in a village in Welo in northern Ethiopia, not far from the famous rock-cut churches of Lalibela. His mother worked as a maid and his father, who came from a wealthy family, was married to another woman when Tamiru was born. The scandal of Tamiru’s birth soon turned to tragedy when his mother realised that his legs were deformed. Both families rejected him.

“They said ‘he is disabled, he is the devil’,” said Tamiru, adding that his maternal grandmother tried to kill him, “Only my [paternal] grandfather said, ‘he is just a human, he is created by god’.” So the child was named Fekadu, or “the will of God”. Young Fekadu was abandoned by his mother almost immediately but his grandfather took him in and sent him to an orthodox Christian school, where he was baptised as “Tamiru” or “Miracle”.

As a child, Tamiru loved to play but was often teased and discriminated against because he couldn’t walk. “I moved just like a snake,” he said. Then one day his grandfather got him a horse. “The children would say you are disabled and abuse me. I would insult them back and ride off on my horse,” he said, “I felt like I had four legs, it was very nice.
” Eventually, the town people convinced his grandfather that it wasn’t correct for a disabled child to ride a horse, so the animal was taken away and Tamiru sent back to religious school.

For the next several years, he moved from place to place - sometimes crawling, sometimes hitching a ride from passersby. His misshapen feet meant that he couldn’t balance on crutches, so he pulled himself along with his hands, dragging his lower body behind him. At one point, his left leg was struck by an infection so severe that doctors advised him to have it amputated.

“I cried to god, I asked him why he was doing all this to me”, Tamiru recalled. “I just took all kinds of leaves and plants, ground them and applied them to my leg. I don’t know which plants worked” but the infection abated.

In the late 1990s, Tamiru found himself working as a shoeshine boy in the tourist town of Lalibela. He polished shoes and sometimes, to amuse a crowd, flipped himself up on his hands and walked short distances - a trick that earned him some money. He was only 15, but he was living by himself and sleeping rough.

“Disabled people never have a positive attitude because normal people discriminate against them. I was a very bad guy when I was 15-16 years old, because people insulted me,” Timaru said.

One day he was spotted on the street by a visiting American surgeon who offered to have him treated at a hospital in Addis Ababa. The town folk cobbled together some money and put him on the next flight to the national capital.

Fourteen years and nine operations later, Timaru can now walk unassisted over short distances, and is completely at home on crutches. He put himself through school and earned diplomas in tourism and information technology, but now works for an Ethiopian circus where he does a number of tricks including a handstand on a tightrope. His incredible upper-body and core strength allows him to balance his body in seemingly untenable positions for long periods.

This fall, he heads to Sweden to add to his repertoire of tricks.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/a-disability-that-has-not-turned-his-life-upside-down/article4640858.ece

Parents abandon disabled children -NGOs

New Vision
By Henry Sekanjako

Parents are increasingly abandoning children born with disabilities citing a lack of funds to maintain such children.
This is according to Katalemwe Cheshire home a non-government organization involved in rehabilitation of children with disabilities and ensuring fulfillment of their rights.
The chairman board of trustees Katalemwe Cheshire home Eng. Aloziyious Bakidde Kaganda said many parents across the country had resorted to dropping children born with disabilities upon birth thinking that such children are useless.

“Parents are increasing dropping disabled children and some have even ran away from their marriages because of this, the issue of disability depends one’s heart , we should have a good heart for the disabled children as parents,” said Bakidde.

Bakidde urged all parents, to ensure equal treatment of children born with disabilities like they do to those that are born without defects.

He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing members of the board Katalemwa Cheshire home during their first ever annual general meeting at Metro pole Hotel Kampala.
The advocacy and networking manager Katalemwe Cheshire home, Patriciah Akullo said the habit of abandoning disabled children was common among local families who find disabled children as a sign of curse.
“We have got many reports of parents especially men who run away from their homes because they have fathered children with disabilities, they think it’s a curse,” said Akullo.
Akullo also attributed the increasing cases of children with disability neglection, to financial challenges where families with financial constraints find it hard to raise children with disabilities.
The executive director Katalemwe Cheshire home James Kibanga, said they were working with government to ensure that children with disabilities are given special attention while in school so that they are not left behind.

“We want to sensitize teachers in schools on children with disabilities inclusion education while in class, some teachers tend to ignore such children saying they are slow learners which affects their academic performance,” said Kibanga.
According to Katalemwe Cheshire home there are over 53,000 children with disabilities in the country.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/641889-parents-abandon-disabled-children-ngos.html

Mercury Doles Out Le 40m To Blind & Deaf Schools

Awoko

The Chairman of Mercury International Charity Foundation, Mr. Samir Hassanyeh, on Thursday 18th April presented two cheques totalling forty million Leones (Le40m) to the Milton Margai School for the Blind and the National School for the Deaf and Dumb at their Wilkinson Road campus.

Presenting the twenty million Leones cheque to the Vice Principal of the Milton Margai School for the Blind, Mr. Hassanyeh said the donation was part of meeting his company’s corporate social responsibility and fulfilling Mercury International’s commitment to give continuous support to the Blind School.

“I am here today to do a presentation to the Milton Margai School for the Blind as our annual commitment in the previous year and we shall continue to do so,” he said.

“Therefore, on behalf of the Board of Directors, Management, Staff, Retailers and Customers of Mercury International (SL) Limited, it gives me the greatest pleasure to present twenty million Leones to the Milton Margai School for the Blind”.

Receiving the cheque, the Vice Principal’s Milton Margai School for the Blind, expressed thanks and appreciation to the Chairman and the entire management and staff of Mercury International for he described as “such a wonderful gesture” and promised to make good use of the money given to them.

“This is not a surprise to us because we know what Mercury has done for us in the past years and hope they will continue to assist the Blind.”
Also on that day, Mr. Samir Hassanyeh presented another cheque for twenty million Leones (Le 20m) to the National School for the Deaf and Dumb as part of his company’s annual support to the school and also pledged Mercury’s continuous support to the school.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://awoko.org/2013/04/22/mercury-doles-out-le-40m-to-blind-deaf-schools/

Defying disability: The success story of a challenged Graduate

Imagine that you could hear speech and sound last night but woke up this morning only to find the whole world has gone silent. Not that people are not talking, but you suddenly lost your ability to hear. That experience came like a dream to Juventus Duorinaah, a man with hearing difficulty who by dint of hard work and determination, graduated recently with a First Class Honours degree (majoring in Sociology and minoring in Political Science) from the University of Ghana, Legon. This might sound like fiction but it is a true story - an extraordinary life story of an exemplary individual.

Mr. Robert Duorinaah and Madam Monica Duorinaah, parents of Juventus, were illiterate peasant farmers at Chiria village in the Upper West Region. They enrolled him at an early age in the Chiria Catholic Primary School even though they found it challenging to cater for the familya??s upkeep in addition to coping with the education of their son.

When Juventus reached Primary Five he suffered a Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) attack which nearly paralyzed him. He was in a coma for more than one week at the Wa Regional hospital. He eventually woke up from the hospital bed only to realize that the noisy world around him had suddenly turned silent. Sounds which could be considered too noisy at a close distance, were hardly audible to Juventus - he had lost his hearing ability. His parents saw the predicament of their 11th child as the end of their dreams of making him a better person in life. They began to see him as a liability rather than an asset, and never counted him as an able person like the other 10 children they had.

For Juventus, he could not understand what was happening but soon had to accept his new condition. Besides, he had difficulty walking due to the severity of the CSM but the walking soon improved. He had hoped that he would one day regain his hearing ability too but that had never been the case.

He could not afford to be in the same classroom with "normal" pupils and had to spend the next three years at home helping his parents on the farm. Fortunately, in 1996 he was enrolled into a special School for the Deaf at Wa, from where he went straight into Primary Four. That was another restart, because instead of using voices as a means of communication, movement of the hands became the means of communication here. He had no idea what sign-language was and had never used it before, but he had to learn it and that was a struggle.

The Deaf and Dumb School in Wa was one of the most deprived schools in an urban centre. Learning to pass competitive exams in such schools required more than hard work and the barriers were sometimes too severe to bear. But by dint of hard work and against all odds, Juventus managed to complete the programme successfully in 2003 with an aggregate 12 at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) which was considered exceptional because the authorities reported the best grade ever produced by a student with that kind of challenge was a 19.

Completing the Junior High School, the next difficult decision to take was where he could go next. There was only one 'good' Senior School for the Deaf, situated in Mampong Akwapim in the Eastern Region. Few students from the Wa School for the Deaf ever made it to Mampong. Everything else aside, there was also the entrenched perception that deaf pupils could not progress beyond Senior High School.
Teachers suggested that he be given technical training to be self-employed but Juventus's family would not settle for this. Although the family was not well endowed, they encouraged him to take up the challenge of commuting to and from Mampong each school term. He accepted the challenge.

Progressing through these neglected special schools was more than a struggle and required more than hard work. At Senior High School form two, Juventus decided to try his hands on the November/December Senior School Certificate Examination as a private candidate ahead of the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination.

Communication barriers made extra or remedial classes inaccessible. So he went through all the course preparations on his own as he was determined to succeed. Learning everything by himself and sitting in an examination hall not hearing invigilators and instructors was not easy.

However, he eventually made it by obtaining aggregate 13, thereby being the first deaf person in Ghana to try the SSSCE while still in school. Even as he was writing the Nov/Dec, he also registered for the WASSCE in Mampong and wrote that too in June 2007 and passed with aggregate 11, thus qualifying him for university. Juventus applied to both the University of Ghana (Legon) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, and was offered admission by both institutions.
He opted to go to the University of Ghana, but even there the problem of classroom accommodation and support services became a nightmare but at the same time, it was an opportunity to begin to understand diversity.

The frequent absence of the interpreter provided by the University in the lecture hall was a barrier to effective participation, whiles late access to information often placed him off track and far behind his colleagues who had no disabilities. Sometimes, he had to leave the lecture hall after waiting in vain for an interpreter who would not show up.

It was not only embarrassing but also psychologically traumatising having to leave while his colleagues continued to learn. For the better part of his academic life in Legon, he was compelled by circumstance to miss lectures. Sometimes, Juventus was lucky to receive notes from the note-taker and at other times he had to depend on notes from friends who were willing to release their books to him to photocopy.

While social life adds values to university education and therefore shaping onea??s future, social life for a deaf student was almost non-existent. Most out-of-classroom activities on campus were not tailored for the disabled.

In spite of all these challenges he was lucky to have a supporting and understanding family who always encouraged him to put the challenges behind him and move ahead. At the same time, he was determined to make it no matter the odd so as to become a role model for other persons with disability.

"At the same time, I was determined not to let them down - I mean my family and other challenged persons like myself. So by dint of hard work, and by the grace of God I successfully graduated with a First Class Honours, majoring in Sociology and minor in Political Science, thus being the first hearing impaired person in Ghana to get a first class degree", said Juventus during an interaction with this writer.

A living example of resilience and determination, Juventus is currently doing his national service with the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), an NGO supporting to implement an inclusive education project in northern Ghana. He is of the conviction that disability does not mean that a person is incapable of doing anything. "Given the opportunity, they can perform jobs assigned them", he emphasised.

Juventus is of the view that the barrier created by deafness as a social problem has been allowed to cause massive unemployment and under-employment in the country, despite the fact that people with hearing difficulties can undertake tasks just as their hearing counterparts.

"Ghanaians have placed spoken language above all forms of communication, a situation that has degraded the hearing-impaired and placed them at the peripheral ends of society.

"For me and many other deaf people elsewhere hard work, determination, prayer and willingness to learn make a whole lot of difference. But this is possible only if policy makers give us a chance by making provision for us, including employing people with disability".

Source: By Bajin Dougah Pobia

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.businessghana.com/portal/news/index.php?op=getNews&news_cat_id=&id=182037

Bungoma disabled want posts in county

The Star
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY JOHN NALIANYA

Persons with disabilities from Bungoma have asked governor Ken Lusaka to include one of them in the county executive committees. Speaking to the press in a Bungoma hotel on Saturday, the director of Albinism Empowerment Network Trust Kenya, Martin Wanyonyi, said persons with disabilities who form at least 15 per cent of the population should be included in public appointments.

“Disabled people can determine the leadership of this county if they will be given an opportunity not only as a constitutional obligation but as well as a fulfillment of the basic human right,” said Wanyonyi.

The group asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to set aside a special allocation for people with disabilities in the Sh6 billion initially allocated to conduct the presidential run-off.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-117702/bungoma-disabled-want-posts-county

Tetu family mourns breadwinner shot dead in Garissa hotel

The Star
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY WAMBUGU KANYI

A family in Tetu is mourning the death of one of their own who was among the 10 people who died in Garissa during the shooting incident at a local hotel.

Joseph Ndung’u, a carpenter, was a casual labourer and was with friends at Kwa Chege Hotel in the town when gunmen stormed the hotel on Thursday evening.

He had visited home during the electioneering period and only returned to Garissa which is over 400 kilometres away to look for casual jobs since he is the sole bread winner of the family.

Ndung’u who was the bread winner of the family of four is now dead and the widower Agnes Wangui has been left with the burden to bring up the children.

Three of the four children are dump and deaf which is a big challenge to the family. Wangui who is a house wife was not at the home yesterday since she was away pursuing the matter but the father of deceased John Ndung’u Nduguiya said it was a big challenge to bring up the four children since the three of them need to be admitted in special schools.

“This is a very big burden left for me and since Wangui is a house wife and me I’m just a peasant farmer with less than an acre land. We wish the Government can help us,” said Nduguiya.

All the children who are aged between 5 and 15 years schools at Kaiguri Primary School. They include Class 8 Mary Wanjira, Class 6 John Ndung’u, Class five Elijah Kibuthu and Charles Nduguiya.

Tetu Sub county commissioner Herman Shambi yesterday consoled the family at the home and offered them relief food from the government.

“I also urged the well wishers, churches and villagers to help the family since cruel hand of death have robbed the family their bread winner,” said Shambi.

He also promised that the three children who have special cases will be admitted in special schools. The commissioner said the Government will not relent until all those involved are brought to book. The family yesterday started the burial preparations which are scheduled to take place later this week.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-117859/tetu-family-mourns-breadwinner-shot-dead-garissa-hotel

Manad launches sign language project, website

The Daily Times.
TUESDAY, 23 APRIL 2013 10:33 SIMEON MAGANGA

Malawi National Association of the Deaf (Manad) has launched a website and a Malawi's Sign Language and Rights project aimed at addressing communication challenges facing the deaf.

Briefing the media yesterday, Manad National Chairperson Charles Mtambo said the development of the website, www.manadmw.org, is expected to make information about Manad and the deaf community in general easily accessible and promote Malawi sign language.

He said Manad will also engage government planners to sensitise them on the need to incorporate sign language in their projects so that the deaf are not left out in development projects.

On her part, Coordinator for the Malawi Sign Language and Rights project Juliana Mwase said the project will see 20 teachers and 20 medical personnel trained in sign language for basic communication with deaf students and patients respectively.

"Many times the deaf do not proceed with their education because they fail to lip-read their teachers. In the health sector, too, there have been cases where the deaf were given wrong prescription just because of communication breakdown.

"This project will, therefore, train some of these crucial service providers and we are liaising with the Ministry of Education Science and Technology to support this cause as our budget is limited," Mwase said, adding the project will target teachers from schools which have resource centres.

The website has been developed with funding from the Finish Association of the Deaf while the training project is funded by Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (Osisa).

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.bnltimes.com/index.php/daily-times/headlines/national/14813-manad-launches-sign-language-project-website

Tanzania: Life of People With Disability in Zanzibar Changing Gradually

AllAfrica.com
BY ISSA YUSSUF, 24 APRIL 2013

SIGNIFICANT changes in delivering services to people with disability are taking place in Zanzibar. Thanks to the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) for the ongoing training and awareness programs in the Islands.

But despite progress, there is more to do, particularly government's support in implementing the policies safeguarding the rights of people with disability. Disabled people are more likely to live in poverty, to have fewer educational qualifications, have poor services and be out of work and experience prejudice and abuse, if the policies are not put into practice.

Zanzibar Centre for Disability and Inclusive Development (ZACDID) recently organised series of training and awareness programmes in Zanzibar, aiming at improving the life of disabled people so that they are respected and included as equal members of society. Participants in the training included officials from the Disabled people associations, First vice-president office (department responsible for people with disability), lawyers, and Zanzibar Social Security Fund (ZSSF), and Police officers.

According to ZACDID programmes coordinators, Ms Talaa Said and Abdallah Suleiman, the trainings have been beneficial and the impact is already visible in the Islands. They also said that adverts portraying difficulties facing people with disability in transport sector and accessing services in public building have had positive impact in the society.

"We had two adverts on Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation Television (ZBC -tv), which shows that communication between deaf/dumb people and officers in offices remains a problem and yet it is difficult for people with disability to reach many public buildings," she said. She mentioned that another advert which increased awareness about the rights of people with disability in Zanzibar was "run by ZBC-radio and the private Zenji FM radio.

The adverts explained the need for our commuter buses to have facilities for disabled people." She said the adverts ended in December last year, and shortage of funds hampers running the adverts for longer. "All groups in the society have a big role to play in realizing transformation in disabled people's life is achieved," said Talaa arguing that Disabled people still face a wide range of challenges.

The types of challenges still faced by disabled people include: policy formation- policy design and delivery which do not take disabled people into account and unfriendly environment- buildings and transport systems. Mr Juma Abdurrahman, chairperson of the Zanzibar Association of Deaf people was the first to testify that he has benefited from the trainings organized by ZACDID in April last year in Zanzibar, but asking for more similar trainings.

"The training was important because it helped me and others to develop our knowledge about our own rights, lobbying and to make sure that our voices is heard. Fortunately, six youths with deaf disability have been employed at the Zanzibar airport. This may be mentioned as an example of the benefit from the training," Juma said.

He also said that the judiciary system is for reform mainly considering hiring sign language people to ease communication in Court during cases involving the deaf, "this, has been a milestone in achieving the rights of disabled people." He said that deaf are among the victims of sexual harassment and rape, but when it come to giving evidence at police stations and court, it is always difficult due to lack of sign language staffs in court.

However, Juma, said that the estimated 3,500 with listening impairment still face a number of challenges including securing few places in schools, shortage of facilities, stigmatisation by some members of the society and difficulties in communication such as in hospitals. He said lack of funds is also another challenge in meeting their goals such as running awareness programmes and identifying deaf people in rural areas, " we need at least 40m/- annually to implement our programmes, but we only depend on donors."

Ms Jabu Sharif Haji, coordinator - people with disability programmes, office of the First vice-president said, "the training was exceptional, we were reminded about our role in developing people with disability and avoid using inappropriate names on people with disability." She said that one of the benefits from the training has been inclusive participation, "we now emphasize on involving people with disability in planning programs, and even in planning government budget."

Jabu said that knowledge about inclusive education and participation has helped her and other beneficiaries to abandon the perception that people with disability such as mental disorder are helpless. "It has been proved that even people with mental problems are useful in the society. She said the training has also energised them to push for construction of rest houses for people with disabilities so that officers who are in buildings which are not accessible for people with disability can meet in the rest house near the main entrance."

Mr Jasadi Akhamad Bungala, lawyer and planning officer from the Zanzibar Legal Services Centre (ZSLC) said that the training has been important, because it is a move to promote the rights of people with disability, particularly in making sure that people with disability are involved in development planning. Mr Haroub Soud Mzee, a handicapped employee of the Zanzibar Social Security Fund (ZSSF), said that there have been noticeable changes in his office driven by him after the ZACDID training.

"Fortunately a desk to attend people with disability has been established, at least a toilet for disabled people has been setup, and the tiles in almost all rooms are friendly to people with disability," said Haroub, a student at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) adding, "I have also managed to drum for the improvement of my university environment so that the doors, tiles, and toilets are also friendly to the disabled."

A police officer who requested for anonymity said the ZACDID training was "extremely helpful. It is a fact that most of the law enforcers lack basic knowledge of dealing with people disability particularly the deaf and blind. It is worse when the disabled have been sexually abused." According to the ZACDID officers, at least 20 participants from different groups including Police, lawyer, magistrates, officer from the government institutions including the department responsible for people with disabilities and from disability associations, attended the training.

ZACDID and the beneficiaries have been thankful to the FCS, but suggest that Government should implement plans for improving the life of disabled people.

Tanzania Child Marriage Blamed for Gender Inequality THE national website on gender issues clearly states that the government of Tanzania recognises that women's advancement … see more ≫

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304240897.html

Gambia: Interview With Awa Jarju - a Disabled Person

AllAfrica.com
BY MUSTAPHA JALLOW, 24 APRIL 2013
INTERVIEW

Mustapha: Can you please introduce yourself to the readers?

Awa Jarju: My name is Awa Jarju, I'm staying at Kotu Quarry. I am a disable and a beggar staying with my family. Every blessed day I use to go out and beg inorder to survive and feed my family.

Mustapha: There are some people that you know who are begging in the street but do not have any physical or visible disability.

Awa Jarju: It is true that there are many people in the Gambia who are engage in begging in the streets. Some of these people are able bodied men/women standing on the street begging and after getting something, they go and drink alcohol or to even follow prostitutes. People do all kinds of things to support their families etc. Since that is the case then the government should not discriminate us from what everybody is doing especially that we are disable persons. "If you see we are going out and begging we are disable that's why we go out and beg. If we have the ability to work we will go out and seek for a job but if you see we cannot do that is because we are disable. There are rumours going on that we the disable are the one's who go out and stand on the streets and disturb people passing by, they are just tarnishing our image. We the disable sit at one side or place and anyone who has pity on us can give out something, and when he/she passed we don't go out disturbing people on the street. We sit and wait for our luck," Said Awa, a physically handicapped woman.

Mustapha: So you have heard that the government has plans to pass a new bill in order to stop all those who pretend to be disable and beg in the streets?

Awa Jarju: No, I have not heard about it but if it is to stop those who pretend to be disable then it will be a good thing to do, because our names have been tarnished all over the country, even people who want to give us alms are beginning to doubt us because of people who make themselves disable and they are not disable. If the government implements that it will help us a lot, to differentiate us from those engage in criminal acts. We the disabled have suffered a lot from these disguised beggars. It will really be helpful.

Mustapha: What steps do you want the government to take regarding those disguising as beggars?

Awa Jarju: Now you have talked about a very important topic. The government should really try by all means to stop this act, the government should help us and build institutions and open business for us, so that we can work and earn our living rather than sitting outside and begging. If the government helps us with these things we will never go and stand in the street and beg. If that is done any person they meet on the street begging they can arrest the person. I am hundred percent sure that disable persons will not do these type of act. We have families to feed, we have people who are depending on us, if we don't go out and beg what will we do to survive? We have to pay our children's school fee's, breakfast and lunch and now these criminals have come to disguise themselves as beggars and tarnishing our image, doing all sorts of things that a disabled person will never do. The government should really help us. We want a place where there will be enough peace and work and earn our living. The government should once again help us differentiate ourselves from the socalled alcoholics, drug addicts who stand on the street begging, we really need the governemt to assist us we the disabled.

Mustapha: Have you been assaited by the government such as providing you with say an empty land for you to do something?

Awa Jarju: No we have never got any land from the government but we will love to have it. You see if we have we will have some people who will help us grow vegetables in the land. You can see that when it is ready we can take them to the market and sell them and earn our living. We will not be disturbing people on the streets begging them on the road junctions and work places. We the disable some of us are illiterate and others are educated, we the illiterates can work on the garden and training skills works and the educated one's some have their certificates, they can work in the offices or even do open buisness inorder to help reduce the poverty rate in the country and also develop the country also. And you can see that our children too will be educated and nobody knows what tomorrow may bring, it can be our son's or daughters may become ministers and even president no nobody knows what the future may hold. The government should really help us and I myself know that they can do it even more than that, especially the garden, you can have many things in the garden. We can help ourselves and our families and even give our neighbours and other people that are also in need of support. There can be a lot more things in the garden than what we see when the vegetables are ready to go to the market .We can consume them at home and sell the remaining, we can use that to feed our children and buy other crops and grow it back to the land in the space of three to four years. We will not be begging on the street anymore by that time. We will be able to support ourselves and our families also with the relatives and lead a healthy life with our families.

Mustapha: What advice do you have for your fellow disable persons regarding the new bill about to be tabled by the government meant to remove all beggars from the streets and public places?

Awa Jarju: The only thing is that when they are going to beg, let them take their time and check with the people they are going along with. Some are able bodied but pretend to be disabled before they fall foul of the law and be arrested. So my advice for them is, let them beware of those crooks, rogues begging on the street, before they are mistaken for the criminals. We the disable are poor that's why we are going out and begging, we don't have anything to do that's why we are begging. If we have the ability to work we would not have been sitting here and begging, we would have been doing many types of job like carpentry, tailoring, leather works etc. If we have been able we would do all this jobs but we are not, that's why we are begging that's what I have for my fellow disable persons.

Mustapha: Have you ever heard of disability employment services?

Awa jarju: I never heard about that but if that is available we will be thankful. You will see that the begging will subside in the country and we the disable we will have employment and the government will not be harassing us on the street about begging and they will know the kind of people they will find on the streets begging will not be the disable. And if there are disables, it will not be many and you will see we two will develop ourselves in that area of life, it will help us really in our life to support our families. If we have this type of services then there would be no more begging on the streets. In order for us to live happily, the government must stand for our right and give the freedom disable people need in the country to live free like anyone else in the country.

Gambia VP Launches Human Development Report 2013 The Global Human Development Report 2013 was Wednesday officially launched by the vice president and minister of Women's … see more ≫

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304250887.html

Disabled ask for positions

The Star
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY MARTIN MWITA

PEOPLE living with disabilities in Kwale have protested alleged discrimination in the nomination process to the county assembly. Led by Kwale Persons Living With Disability network coordinator Athman Kibada, the group have accused the IEBC of colluding with politicians to tamper with nominees for the assembly.

Speaking to the Star yesterday, Kibada said the list of nominees to the county assembly is unconstitutional since the marginalised group has been sidelined.

He said the four positions meant to be given to the group which includes youth and the disabled have been given to able allies of politicians. “ We had hopes in the new constitution but we have continued to be marginalised. We want the process overhauled,” said Kibada

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-118206/disabled-ask-positions

Sh 11.43 million for the disabled in Nakuru

The Star
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY RITA DAMARY

THE National Fund for the Disabled Kenya has donated Sh11.4 million to persons with disability in Rift Valley.

Speaking at the provincial commissioner's office NFDK chairperson Christine Kenyatta-Pratt said Sh4.1 million of the sum will be given to schools and Sh7.3 million will buy products and equipment including wheel chairs, and sewing machines.

She said the donation will benefit 21 special schools in Rift Valley. “We are on the verge of empowering our disabled children and that is why we are giving grants which will cater for dormitories, kitchens, laboratories among other projects to the school hence we call upon the management of schools to apply,” Pratt said.

She urged the disabled to take the opportunities given by the constitution and apply for jobs in the counties. “We have disability act that protect the rights of people with disabilities and it is your mandate and us to safeguard it and propel for the inclusion and active participation in the running affairs of the government,” she added.

The Chairperson was accompanied by Julia Ojiambo, Chairperson of Donation Committee where he called upon the residents not to hide the persons with disability instead expose them because there are a lot of chances and opportunities for them.

She thanked the retired president Kibaki for his support on the disabled and it was through his leadership as the chair of board trustee it took bigger and great stride.

“It is my wish and optimism that our new president Kenyatta who supported us when he was minister for finance will continue to fully support and fight for the disabled rights,” said Ojiambo.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-118222/sh-1143-million-disabled-nakuru

Lagos, Delta players shine at deaf T-tennis trials

Nigerian Tribune
Written by Niyi Alebiosu Thursday, 25 April 2013 04:00

Table Tennis players from Lagos and Delta state proved the stuff they were made of at the finals of the three days’ Deaf National Table Tennis trials held at the National stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

At the initial stage, Lagos players were leading the pack but, their efforts were not enough to clip the wings of the Deltans who dusted them to fourth, sixth and eight position leaving Ondo and Rivers to share fifth and seventh position in the men’s category.

In the women’s category, Tokosi Munirat led the pack of Lagos players claiming the first, third, fourth, sixth and eight while the two players from Rivers settled for fifth and seveth position
Speaking to the media men after the event, the Technical Director/Coach of the association, Mukaila Olaoye hinted that he was particularly delighted with the outcome of the trials having succeeded in selecting the best hands as planned.

“To be candid, I’m really delighted with the way the trials were conducted and the outcome generally and strongly believe the players selected will prove their worth”. he posited Although, eight men and eight women were picked at the camping will resume camping in the next few days in Ibadan where the number will be pruned to four men and four women for the championship billed for July 24 to August 4, in Bulgaria.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/sports/item/10378-lagos-delta-players-shine-at-deaf-t-tennis-trials

Gambia: DES Poised to Promote Welfare of Persons With Disabilities

AllAfrica.com
BY OMAR WALLY, 25 APRIL 2013
RELATED TOPICS
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The newly instituted Disability Employment Services (DES) is poised to empower and promote the welfare of persons with disability in the country through the facilitation of employment opportunities.

Among the project's objectives are to create a mechanism for people with disability to link to employers and to help create employment opportunities. It also aims to raise awareness and to use policies to enhance the welfare of people with disability. Since inception, DES, an initiative under The Gambia Federation of Disabled (GFD) has registered over 1, 800 persons with disability, according to its project officer, Theresa Colley, who was speaking to the Daily Observer on Tuesday afternoon during an interview at her office in Kanifing.

Colley disclosed that these registered people are part of three organisations namely: The Gambia Association of Physically Disabled (GAPD), The Gambia Association of Visually Impaired (GOVI) and The Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GADHOH).

She spoke of DES's commitment to the protection of persons with disability against all forms of exploitation and discrimination, underscoring that her institution will leave no stone unturned in ensuring their rights to employment.

"We believe they have rights to be employed; that is why we are creating the link between them and potential employers," she indicated.

She went on: "In most situations, employers look at the impairments and most of them are worried on how to deal with them.

Therefore, Colley explained, "based on a particular impairment, we can engage the employer and give advice on how to handle such a person, as well as lend a hand if there are supportive materials required to enable the person work".

Theresa Colley concluded by reiterating that persons with disability have rights to employment and those rights ought to be protected like normal persons, stressing that the right to employment of persons with disability is enshrined in the constitution.

For the coordinator of Disability Employment Service, Edrisa Korita, persons with disability have a role to play in the national development process, "for disability doesn't in anyway mean inability."

He indicated that persons with disability have means that they can be used to contribute to national development; like managing projects, support staff and security," he underscored.

Korita lamented the disability employment gap, indicating that out of every 100 people, only one or two are employed. In bridging this gap, he revealed, they will be embarking on a series of programmes to enlighten people that persons with disability can in fact play a key role in the development process of the country.

"We should open our doors to them and we must see them as people and give them the chance," he stressed.

The Disability Employment coordinator explained that some of these people were not born with disability, citing former US Vice President Dick Cheney as an example.

"For instance, Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius is a South African blade athlete. But despite his impairment, he has been very successful in sports. If he can make it why not others," he queried.

Babucarr Ceesay, a disabled, who has been working for the past 10 years, also spoke about the need to accommodate his colleagues in the job market and called for empowerment so as to enable them play their role in national development.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304251360.html

Sign Language Interpreters For Hospitals Soon-Gender Ministry

Ghana
Thursday, 25 April 2013 09:39

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection yesterday, said it is collaborating with the Ghana Health Services to provide sign language interpreters at the various public hospitals across the country.

Nana Oye Lithur, the sector Minister said the measures would ensure that health professionals understand and treat the deaf and dumb, and other persons with disability. The Gender Minister stated this during an interaction with officials from the House of Grace School for the Deaf at the Ministry.

She said the collaboration is also to introduce sign language in the Medical and Health institutions curriculum in the country and that this would start in Accra as a pilot programme and later extended to all institutions across the country.

Nana Oye Lithur said the Ministry has met with the Ghana Federation for Disabled and agreed that, health professionals need some basic communication skills to understand the language of the deaf for their treatment.

She pledged to work with all agencies and institutions under the Ministry to ensure gender balance, rights of children and socially protect the disabled and the physically challenged in the country as they have the right to participate in every activity irrespective of their status.

Nana Oye Lithur acknowledged an appeal by the House of Grace School and pledged the Ministry‘s support to help the school acquire some facilities and also reduce the challenges they were facing, adding, “We will try our best to support the school.”
Mrs Hanna Boateng, Head Mistress of the School said the school was established with the vision of providing quality education to the deaf children of Ghana through the use of sign language.

She said Government seeks to create a better future for deaf children and to build their capacity for employment as equal members of the society in the country.

She said the school is non-profit and non-residential and that from October 2008, the population of the school had increased from two to 48 pupils at various levels in the basic education system.

Mrs Boateng said the school follows the Ghana Education Service recommended curriculum for primary and basic education and uses sign language in teaching the pupils, adding that, “All the teachers in the school are also deaf, which inspires the children.”
She said the school mainly depends on contributions from individuals and organisations and also works in co-operation with several training institutions in Finland who send students over for internship and practice.

Mrs Boateng appealed to the Minister to assist the school to build more classrooms and acquire a bus, and also appealed to corporate bodies to adopt the children in the school.

Source: GNA

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/21644-sign-language-interpreters-for-hospitals-soon-gender-ministry

Zimbabwe: 'BCC Facilities Not Suitable for the Disabled'

AllAfrica.com
BY NQOBANI NDLOVU, 28 APRIL 2013
RELATED TOPICS
Zimbabwe
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Bulawayo - The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has condemned Bulawayo City Council (BCC) run schools and youth centres that were used during the just ended referendum as not user friendly to people living with disabilities.

ZEC said a fact-finding mission by its personnel to Bulawayo recently revealed that some BCC-run schools, youth centres and housing offices were not suitable for use by people living with disabilities during elections.

The electoral board recommended that ramps and rails should be constructed at the BCC facilities, even at the toilets, to make them user-friendly to the disabled, according to the latest city council minutes.

Bulawayo council was instructed to construct ramps at Ingubo, Tategulu, Mawaba, Mahlathini, Mtshane, Mgombane and Ntshamathe -- all primary schools as well as at Nkulumane Library and Home Craft Centre in Mzilikazi.

At Mawaba Primary School, ZEC said: "Recommendations were that the following doorsteps must be ramped to be accessible to disabled persons using either wheelchairs or crutches.

"Administration doorstep, rooms 1, 2 and 3 doorsteps, boys' toilet doorstep."

At Nkulumane Library, ZEC recommended "doors to be fitted to toilets designated for people living with disabilities. Rails to be fitted in the respective toilets as well".

"A designated parking area for people living with disabilities to be erected. The ground should be levelled at the access ramp on the entire library's entry and exit points."

Isaiah Magagula, the director of Housing and Community Services said constructing ramps and rails at its council run facilities to make them accessible to the disabled would cost the local authority about US$17 000.

"The total so far is US$16 815 and judging from the above and the fact that council had not budgeted for this eventuality, it would be hard to meet these requirements," Magagula said.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304290273.html

It is inhumane for deaf people to write Oral English

04月30日 GhanaWeb

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for deaf persons, EMPLODEAF has condemned the writing of Oral English by deaf people during approved November-December (popularly referred to as Nov-Dec) leg of the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WAEC).

Reports indicate that though the West African Examination Council (WAEC) rules exempt deaf people from writing oral English exam, they are not exempted during Nov-Dec examinations.

In an interview with Citi News, the Executive Director of EMPLODEAF, Seth Dankwa, revealed that though deaf people declared their disability status during the registration process for the Nov-Dec examination, it has enough proof that they are still not exempted.

“When deaf people register and indicate that they are deaf, they are still invited to come to the examination centers to come and write Oral English” he stated.

"It is inhumane for deaf people to write Oral English... This is a mess in the system.”

Seth Dankwa thus called on authorities of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) to carry out intense education on how deaf persons can avoid writing oral English exams during Nov-Dec examination.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=272434

Namibia: Tribalism Blamed for Disability Squabbles

AllAfrica.com
BY SHINOVENE IMMANUEL, 30 APRIL 2013
RELATED TOPICS
Namibia
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THE Minister of Health and Social Services, Richard Kamwi has blamed the lack of finance, tribalism and cliques in the council for the lack of a National Disability Council board whose appointment has been delayed for the past two years.

Member of Parliament Alexia Ncube recently grilled Kamwi in the National Assembly on why a board has not been appointed since 2011.

She said the absence of leadership at the council means that payment of creditors, salaries to staff, and rental of office space cannot be done on time.

Ncube said during the debate on the health budget that the lack of a board had paralysed the disability movement and National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPDN) at large.

“I am aware that you may consult the AG's office, but how can such consultations take two years and, in so doing, contribute to the detriment of (people living with) disabilities in Namibia,” she said. “What can be done to avoid such detrimental delays in future, because this may be seen as a clear violation of the National Disability Act and abuse of power, in the eyes of disability movement,” she told Kamwi.

The Swapo MP lashed out at the minister saying she was reliably informed that the directorate that deals with disability issues and advises Kamwi manipulated the process and tried to replace some of the names seconded by relevant disability constituencies to be council members.

“This caused and contributed to the delays and mayhem in the disability fora. My question is: How was this dealt with? If staff and directorates can do such things in your ministry, what then can be done to avoid such abuse of power and privileges in future?” she said.

The MP also brought up the issue of the 2011/2012 report on the National Disability Council of Namibia which was released a year ago.

“Government resources were spent to compile the report. The Act clearly states that the Minister must lay the report to the National Assembly within 28 days after receipt thereof,” she said.

Minister Kamwi told The Namibian yesterday about the lack of finance in the past years saying: “There is no way that we could have gone on with the appointments without the resources,” he said, adding that they however have the finances this year to afford a board.

Kamwi said the decision to appoint the board has been long time coming and he has delegated his personal assistant to put the final touches to the appointments.

He said the issue was “technical one and thus referred the matter to the Attorney General to advise us,” Kamwi said.

According to the minister, there was also another stumbling block. He said he has been receiving complaints from people in the regions that the board only consisted of people from one region which is Khomas region.

Another complaint was that they also felt the board was dominated by one tribe, a claim that did not go down well with people in the regions.

Kamwi also said that the people tasked with nominating potential board members were nominating among themselves.

“It (the board) should be well representative. At least in my view, I would have one person from one region to represent on the board,” Kamwi said.

He says the AG had advised him to re-appoint the board whose term ended in 2012.

On the outstanding report, Kamwi said he will table the report on disability in the next National Assembly session.

Without a board, strategic decisions and council resolutions cannot be implemented and as such, the interests of people with disabilities are compromised.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201304300598.html

Varsities to be disability friendly

The NEW AGE , Apr 30 2013

SPHIWE MASILELA The University of South Africa (Unisa) and the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities South Africa have joined hands to ensure a fair deal for people with disabilities in higher learning institutions. “The initiative seeks to lead the way in embedding a culture of inclusiveness for persons with disabilities in the education sector.” Unisa said in statement. The idea, championed by vice-chancellor of Unisa Prof Narend Baijnath, formalised the idea by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday in Pretoria. “Unisa accepts the responsibility to create a culture of inclusiveness, specifically for students, staff and visitors with disabilities who access their services, and visit any of the Unisa facilities,” read the statement. Unisa had a disability unit that strives to improve all aspects of accessibility, including representation by persons with disabilities on the Unisa Council and other management structures. “This partnership takes Unisa’s commitment to the next level of working towards removing all barriers to ensure full integration of persons with disabilities in their learning community,” Unisa said. The Council serves as a proactive forum for the advancement of persons with physical disabilities to enable them to attain their maximum level of independence.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.thenewage.co.za/94159-1007-53-Varsities_to_be_disability_friendly

Disabled voters were verified by biometric device - Bawumia

05月01日 GhanaWeb

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the main witness of the petitioners in the ongoing Supreme Court petition challenging the declaration of John Mahama as winner of the December 7, elections, informed Counsel for the 3rd respondent, Tsatsu Tsikata and the court that the biometric verification device actually verified disabled voters who had no fingers.

Dr. Bawumia, who was in the witness box for the 8th day running, informed the court that page 14 of the biometric verification device manual of the Electoral Commission indicates that voters whose fingerprints could not be captured during the biometric registration as a result of disability or trauma or other causes, were to be verified by face only by the biometric verification device.

According to the Electoral Commission, as stated in Page 14 of its biometric verification device manual authored for the purposes of detailing the operations of the biometric verification device states, “ In some instances the device will verify the voter by face only. This happens when none of the voter's fingers was captured during the registration”.

On the basis of this, Dr Bawumia noted that the verification by the biometric verification device, using facial only (FO), meant that it was impossible for any of the respondents to argue that those who voted without being verified by the biometric device were the disabled and those without fingers.

Counsel for the Electoral Commission, James Quashie-Idun and Counsel for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Tsatsu Tsikata had all sought to argue that the numbers who voted without being biometrically verified were those who had no fingers or those whose fingerprints could not be captured during the biometric registration.

Indeed, Counsel Tsatsu Tsikata had argued on Monday that because those without fingers voted without being biometrically verified by the device, it was impossible to tell on the face of the pink sheets if those who voted without being verified as is stated in section C3 of the form were legally mandated to do so or not and suggested that the petitioners could therefore not conclude that all such incidents of voting without biometric verification was illegal.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had stated in his evidence in chief that the number of people whose fingerprints could not be captured as a result of disability or trauma totaled 3,196 voters; and that even assuming that all those indeed voted without going through biometric verification, it could not justify the 535,723 persons who on the face of the pink sheets are recorded as having voted without being verified by the biometric device.

Nonetheless the operation of the biometric device as quoted in the manual denotes that all such persons were indeed also verified by the device by face only once the barcodes by their names on the voters’ register were scanned and that they were actually recorded by the device as having being verified.

This, to all intents and purposes, is the reason why the Electoral Commission before the elections made it clear that everyone was supposed to be verified by the device and made no exceptions to this rule.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=272604

Kenya: Fire Destroys School Buildings and IEBC Offices in Rongo

AllAfrica.com
BY MANUEL ODENY, 4 MAY 2013

Goods worth over Sh8.5m have been lost after fire broke out at Kuja Special School for the Deaf in Rongo, before spreading to nearby IEBC offices in mysterious circumstances.

Speaking to the press yesterday, the school's principal Julius Awuori said the Thursday night fire was caused by an electric fault made worse by a power surge caused by a heavy downpour.

"The fire has completed destroyed the library, two buildings and the nearby IEBC offices," he said.

Rongo IEBC coordinator Noah Bowen said the fire burnt two computers, a photocopier, kitchen wear and office furniture before it was put off.

Residents however said the fire was not caused by an electric fault but might have been started by arsonists targeting the IEBC's offices.

They said the fire could have been used to get rid of key documents which contain evidence in the ongoing petition cases filed at the Kisii High Court where petitioners claim that the number of those who voted in all elective positions is different from the area's registered voters.

Area MP and immediate former Public Service minister Dalmas Otieno's win is being challenged in court together with the women's representative and governor.

"Such rumours are misplaced since all materials being used in the trial like documents, ballot boxes and papers have already been taken to the regional office in Kisii," Bowen said.

Area police boss, James Mwangi said they have started investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire saying they will unearth the main cause of fire.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://allafrica.com/stories/201305060378.html

Using of Mobile Phone for Visual Disability (3-3)

Sudan Vision
Eng. Mohammed Ghazali Hamza
Date: 06/05/2013

We have successfully in the past week writing articles about education and memorization of the Quran by mobile phone for the visually impaired and blind people In the International Conference for the development of Quranic studies King Saud University in Riyadh city. The paper concluded several findings and recommendations of which there is an urgent need for Muslims, especially with visual disabilities to study and learn the Holy Quran as well as a sense of Muslim families in dire need to teach their children Quran and linking them to his teachings and language in all Arab and Muslim communities. As well as that mobile phones can be used and employed in the education and memorization of Quran for people with visual disabilities in general, adding to uses other in reception and call on others, through what they contain techniques and can offer many benefits to the educational process in general, and give new opportunities for learning for the blind and in the pattern of lifelong learning outside the classroom or specialized centers for this segment. Gives the privacy of Muslim women and education as the application of education via mobile phone and apply it correctly, does not require the provision of parameters the Holy Quran as part of the parties to the educational process (as in the traditional education).

The recommendations of the paper for the families and the center specialized education of people with disabilities and special needs enter the method of education via mobile phone lesson note and conservation, etc., and the officials and families taking ways and means of modern attractive that will serve the teaching and learning processes deaf and dumb and blind people. also That the ease of dealing with mobile phone for people with visual disabilities can help them in the development of innovative technical methods has, which in turn is assisted and encouraged him to show his talents and not isolation from others and integrate into society and make it self-confidence. In addition to urging associations and education centers and memorization of the Koran on the direction to methods of use of technology in teaching and memorization and to seek educational cadres trained and qualified to use the modern techniques and establishment of a number of specialized websites and other technical means the task of making communication between people with disabilities and specialized centers with expertise to solve the problems faced by the technical users of technology to the special needs we recall here the words of the Allah willing. Says in Quran "Lo! this Qur'an guided unto that which is straightest, and give tidings unto the believers who do good works that theirs will be a great reward" surat Isra.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/article.html?rsnpaid=586

Physically disabled patients abandoned

May 6 2013, iol news
INLSA

Durban - The mentally and physically handicapped in KwaZulu-Natal are the newest victims in government budget cuts as homes and hospitals caring for the poorest and most vulnerable are closed for lack of money.

The provincial health head of department, Sibongile Zungu, said the department had no budget to support homes and hospitals which were not part of its core mandate.

Altogether, the department had been supporting 40 such homes to the tune of R300 million every year, she said.

“These patients’ conditions are permanent and cannot be corrected with medical treatment. We had to stop funding them to cut costs,” she said.

She said the department had supported the homes after international donors had pulled out their funding due to the economic recession.

One of the homes that is being shut is the Montebello Chronic Sick Home near Wartburg where, this week, the management will make arrangements for patients to return to their families.

However, Ethel Mthembu, the manager of the 51-year-old facility that caters for 100 seriously mentally and physically disabled people, said most had nowhere to go, as they had been left there at birth. She said the institution had exhausted the health department’s last allocation of R5m.

The Catholic Church started the home for the elderly in 1962, but it was soon flooded with disabled children.

Most of the patients, some as young as five years old, are bed-ridden.

On Friday, some families were at the institution to take their loved ones home, but many were nervous, as they did not have the experience to provide the special care the patients needed.

Sister Gloria Hlongwa said food supplies would run out before the end of the week. “Last month we had to use patients’ pensions to pay salaries, but this was not enough, as not everyone gets the grant.”

The institution spends R131 000 a month on nappies, groceries and lights and water. This excludes the cost of medical waste collection and maintaining washing machines.

Ntombikayise Ngubane, 51, has lived at Montebello since 1978. She cannot use her arms and legs and is bedridden.

“I wish they could find another home for me if this one is closing. I have never been outside this place since I arrived as a child. I know that my family is in Melmoth, but I don’t know if anyone is still alive because they stopped visiting me years ago,” said Ngubane.

When asked if his department could help, department of social welfare head of department, Bheki Nkosi, who has visited Montebello, said the health department was dealing with the situation. “For now, we request that we not be drawn into the matter.”

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/physically-disabled-patients-abandoned-1.1511011#.UYnR_aWXuLU

Marriage bill good for disabled - lawyer

The Observer
News

THURSDAY, 09 MAY 2013 22:53 WRITTEN BY RACHEAL NINSIIMA 0 COMMENTS Despite the uproar against the now shelved Marriage and Divorce Bill, at least one group; people with disabilities, stood to benefit from it, if it were passed in its present form, a family law lecturer at Makerere University says.

Patricia Atim P’Odong said the country’s marriage laws do not recognize cohabiting persons as husband and wife, a matter that greatly affects persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“All women with disabilities living in duly recognized cohabitation will have some level of protection because it recognizes all women in cohabitation as husband and wife and gives them the right to inherit property and use their spouse’s name,” she said.

Odong’s assertion came during the launch of a two-year project to increase access to legal redress for PWDs in Dokolo, Lira, Iganga, Namutumba, Gomba and Kampala districts recently. P’Odong believes women with disabilities face a deeper blow when their relationships collapse as there is no legal redress to inherit property.

The project, implemented by the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (Nudipu), aims to increase the awareness of PWDs about their rights and avenues of redress for violations, influence legal reform through public interest litigation in favour of PWDs and strengthening Nudipu’s monitoring and evaluation system on legal aid needs of PWDs. Nudipu has received a grant from the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) to implement the project.

A baseline survey by Nudipu, early this year found that the main obstacles to raising legal awareness in the selected districts include high levels of illiteracy among PWDs, ignorance among local leaders and policies that do not guarantee justice for PWDs.

“We are going to carry out disability quality training of lawyers in the six districts and we are writing a policy paper to highlight the gaps in access to justice to ensure that PWDs enjoy their fundamental rights,” said Edson Ngirabakunzi, the Executive Director of Nudipu.

Among the laws that Nudipu wants amended is the Evidence Act that limits visually impaired persons to identify someone who has committed an offence in the instance of rape. They argue that evidence must be collaborated (supported with other evidence) such as DNA and fingerprints to enable PWDs access justice.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25195:marriage-bill-good-for-disabled--lawyer&catid=34:news&Itemid=114

Another 100 ‘healed’ on the second day

Times of Swaziland
10/05/2013 02:08:00 BY MAYIBONGWE DLAMINI

Felinnah Groening responding to a question posed by Pastor Kayanja.

MANZINI - Visiting Ugandan Pastor Robert Kayanja’s crusade once again had over 100 people claiming to have been healed of various ailments including paralysis.

This was on Tuesday night on the second instalment of the six-day crusade.
Over 1 500 people attended the service, most with the expectation of being healed while others came to see the popular pastor in action and to receive the Word of God.

Some attendants claimed to have been blind since birth, while others said they were paralysed after being involved in accidents or as a result of sickness. Of note is that most of those who claimed to have been healed on the night said they had been deaf before the service.
Most of the people who needed assistance moving around before being prayed for, left the venue without assistance. Of those who claimed to have been healed, none produced medical reports certifying they had indeed been suffering from those illnesses they testified to have been healed of.

There was, however, the case of Themba Hlophe who was known by all the Worship Centre members present at the service as being deaf because he is a full-time member of the church and had always used an interpreter.
“People of Swaziland open up your hearts to receive miracles, the pastor will not lay hands on you but you shall receive your miracle right where you are,” Pastor David, also from Uganda, said before Pastor Kayanja arrived.

Apostle Justice Dlamini of the Worship Centre, who is the organiser of the services, addressed the congregation, where he first acknowledged the attendance of Prince Masitsela, the Manzini Regional Administrator, pastors from different churches and the church at large.
He emphasised that the people would get their healing through faith.

“Faith determines the level of your healing, not the man of God or anyone else,” the apostle said.
In his brief presentation, he told them that they should be angry at their sicknesses and situations because God dealt with such over 2 000 years ago.
At about 10:55pm, the man of God, Pastor Kayanja took to the stage and his first comment was asking Prince Masitsela to share the secret to a long life after learning that he was 83 years old and still going strong.
His sermon, which lasted for about 25 minutes before praying for the sick, was entitled ‘Behold the lamb of God’. He made an example of John the Baptist who was Jesus’ cousin but never referred to Him as so but rather as ‘the Lamb of God.’

When praying for the sick, he said, “To those who are sick, place your hands on the affected part, if it’s the ear, place it there, if it’s the eyes, place it there and all of you, place your hands even where I haven’t mentioned but you feel sick. As I pray do what you could not do before,” he said.
Others fell to the ground in response while others tried walking to the pulpit where they had been ordered to go after feeling a change in their bodies. The pastor ordered those who had not received healing in full to continue coming for the entirety of the services until they were completely healed. Prominent people who attended the services on Tuesday included Nhlambeni MP, Frans Dlamini, gospel artists Nduduzo Matse, Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane, Kenneth Maziya, who is the former president of the Volleyball Association in Swaziland and many pastors from around Manzini.

【付記】上記ニュースのURL
http://www.times.co.sz/index.php/news/87196-another-100-%E2%80%98healed%E2%80%99-on-the-second-day.html