NUDOR requested persons with disabilities in Nyamasheke district during a general assembly of its platform in this district that took place this Tuesday 10th November 2020. This platform of NUDOR is an organ established to do the advocacy for the respect of the rights of persons with disabilities in all categories in 5 districts, Nyamasheke included. The Platform general assembly aimed at reviewing the achievements done within this year, challenges faced and plan for next year activities in advocacy.
During this assembly, Iriza Marie Claire Dinah, National Paralympics Committee of Rwanda NPC first vice president and Confliict resolution Committee member in NUDOR’s Board asked 30 participants of the general assembly to participate in different games of persons with disabilities that are available in their District. She told them that before fighting for their rights they have to show they are able to do in different sectors including Sports.
Mrs. Claire Dinah shared with persons with disabilities the story of different persons with disabilities who have been champions in diferent games including South African Pistorius who won the Gold Medal in international Paralympic games and many others that won different cups and medals in different games. Later, she shared with them how the national women sitting volley ball team of Rwanda won the golden medal in Africa championship in September 2019 in Rwanda and won qualification to play the Paralympic games in Tokyo 2020 (later transfered to 2021). She told participants that a team of persons with disabilities in Rwanda won a trophy that was never won by any other team in Rwanda, and therefore asked them to do their best in helping and encouraging their children with disabilities to to do the sport with ambition to win and show their communities and the world that they have ability. “The national women sitting volley ball team of Rwanda won the golden medal in Africa championship, the medal that was never won by any other team in Rwanda Before. This shows how persons with disabilities have ability to be champions in different activites if we use the potentials we have”, she said.
Mrs. Dinah informed persons with disabilities that the Government of Rwanda in partnership with other partners in disability movement are doing their best to provide them a conducive environment in sport by availing accessible grounds, balls, coaches and many other needed materials to help every one to chose and raise up his potential in Sport.
Mrs Dinah reflected back on sport as the National Union of Disability Organisations in Rwanda NUDOR is in Nyamasheke District in different campaigns on Human rights and rights of persons with disabilities under the Project “Promotion of Anti-Discrimination Practices for Persons with Disabilities in Rwanda, in Partnership with CBM Germany BMZ.
