On November 02, 206 in Burera District Conference Hall took place an awareness campaign on disability rights and inclusion. The campaign was conducted under PPIMA program where NUDOR focuses on national policy, laws and programs change, awareness raising and capacity building on disability rights and inclusion.
Around five hundred and fifty ( 550 ) people including one hundred fifty five ( 155) persons with disabilities participated to the campaign.
Mr. NSABIMANA Fabrice, the Executive Secretary of Rusarabuye, opening the campaign on the behalf of the District Mayor
In his opening speech, Mr. NSABIMANA Fabrice, the Executive Secretary of Rusarabuye Sector who was represented the District Mayor in the event , said the campaign was an opportunity for the participants especially the local leaders to change the negative mindset towards the persons with disabilities since many people in society still have negative perception on the ability of PWDs.
Around 550 people participated to the campaign
The agenda of the campaign included mainly the presentation on NUDOR mission and work by BIZIMANA Dominique, NUDOR Present, the expectations and the purpose of the campaign by TWAGIRIMANA Eugene, PPIMA Project Manager. Mr. BIZIMANA Dominique informed the participants that NUDOR mission is the advocacy for the rights and dignity of PWDs for an inclusive society. The purpose of the campaign was to raise the awareness of local leaders , community in particular PWDs on disability rights
PWDs were encouraged to participate to community development programs such as VUP, Umuganda, as this has been highlighted by NGIRIMANA Justin the Social affairs officers in Rusarabuye sector where the campaign took place.
NUDOR President, Mr. BIZIMANA Dominique, distributing the sport equipment.
During the same campaign NUDOR provided sport equipment to Burera sitting volley ball with a cost of around 1,000,000 Rwanda francs. Mr. BIZIMANA Dominique considered sport, as an important channel of preventing PWDs living in isolation.
Sit Ball teams during action
Key messages on participation of PWDs into VUP, ubudehe, girinka and umuganda were given through drama performed by Troupe Handicapés Twuzuzanye, THT, one NUDOR member organization. The messages were on negative mindset of employers on ability of PWDs, the inappropriate use of VUP financial loan, to mention a few.
THT drama performers
Among the issues raised by PWDs participating to the campaign, were the limited access to rehabilitation materials such wheelchairs, prosthesis and orthesis, issue of ubudehe categories where a big number of PWDs are classified in third category while they are very poor.
In his closing remarks , Mr. NDAYAMNAJE Theoneste, the National Council of Persons with Disabilities, NCPD, District Coordinator thanked NUDOR for its great contribution in promoting the rights of PWDs. He reminded that NUDOR is still the unique partner in disability area in Burera Sector.