October 30th, 2015 by Rachel | Tags: Disability, Peace Corps | 4 Comments »
Ruth, my counterpart, who participated in Mobility International USA’s leadership program, Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability in 2010, had the opportunity to apply last year for a grant provided by Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and USAID. She was awarded the grant which gave her the opportunity to return to the US this past June. When she was in the Eugene, Oregon, she received training on how to host her own workshop in Cameroon for women with disabilities to teach them to be empowered to be leaders in their communities. When she returned to Cameroon after two weeks of training, she received funding to host the workshop, which happened this past Wednesday to today, in Bamenda, the capital of Northwest region.
Ruth leads the workshop.
The workshop trained 20 women with disabilities to become more empowered to advocate for their own legal rights, health and education and to inspire other women with disabilities to do the same. Various speakers from all over Bamenda shared many invaluable information. Hilda Bih, a 2014 Mandela Washington Fellow and wheelchair user, trained women to take action on making policy changes in their communities so that more places can be accessible for everyone. A healthcare worker from a local hospital talked to them about services available to women with disabilities. A speech language pathologist who happens to be from the US and is working at a hospital and school for the deaf for two years in Cameroon spoke about the importance of diagnosing deaf children early and getting them into schools for the deaf as soon as possible so that they can learn the language. A representative from a local women’s organization talked about domestic violence. Two blind men from a local disability organization talked about the importance of ensuring that disability laws which exist in Cameroon are enforced. A mother of a child with down syndrome gave an inspiring speech about inclusion and how persons with disabilities are fully capable of being educated. Ruth taught them how to create action plans. We also did a beauty show where a make up artist was invited to put make up on women to spread the message that women with disabilities are just as beautiful as anyone else. For many of the women with disabilities, it was their first time wearing make up!
Samuel, president of Coordinating Unit of Association of Persons with Disabilities, talks about policies for persons with disabilities.
Hilda, a 2014 Mandela Washington Fellow, teaches women to advocate for policy changes.
Women with disabilities learn to appreciate their physical appearance by putting on make up.
I gave a presentation on HIV prevention. When I asked them what are the causes of HIV/AIDS, I was surprised to learn that they believed in some of the myths such as people can become infected with HIV from sharing clothes with those who are infected with the disease and also sharing hair shavers. Not one mentioned anything about mother-to-child-transmission. I thoroughly explained to them that while 70 percent of HIV cases are cased by sexual contact, 10 to 15 percent of cases were caused by being breastfed by a mother infected with the disease. I also explained that transmission can also occur just before and during labor and delivery of the baby. While one participant said that HIV is caused by having sex with more than one partner, I clarified that even if you have sex with one partner, you can still be in risk for HIV because that one partner could have the infection. The partner could have infection by previously having sexual contact with another infected person or from an HIV-postive mother through breastfeeding or pregnancy. I received interesting questions such as “Is it possible for an HIV-positive partner to still have children?” I told them most definitely and while I told them about in-vitro fertilization as one of the options, they were not familiar with it because it’s not available in Cameroon. They also asked if those who are HIV positive can still live a fulfilling life, which I said most definitely “Yes!” and told them about the anti-retroviral therapy (ARV).
Thanks to Hilda Bih who happens to also be a journalist, we also broadcasted the workshop live for one hour. As Hilda led the show, the women shared what they have learned and hope to do when they go back to their communities.
The women immensely enjoyed the workshop and felt that they have become more empowered to do more advocacy work to improve the lives of women with disabilities.
An interpreter signs for six deaf participants.
A group of participants discuss what they learned about legal rights.
The workshop was not without music!
There were certainly some dancing!
A healthcare worker from a local hospital talks to them about services available to women with disabilities.
A blind woman reads the workshop agenda in braille.
Participants learn about the importance of inclusion in education.
Participants enjoy sharing their insights about disability advocacy on the radio.
Ruth and Hilda, the two women with disabilities who make up a very powerful force, make positive changes in their disability community.
A mother of a child with down syndrome gave an inspiring speech about inclusion
A speech language pathologist from the US speaks about deaf education.
The speech language pathologist educates the participants about tactile sign language.
A woman with disability shares that she has learned a lot about advocacy.
Participants thanked for the opportunity to be part of the workshop.
Every participant received a certificate.
A woman with disability celebrates the success of the workshop by dancing.
4 Comments
Emmanuel Chia
October 31, 2015 at 4:07 am
I’m quite impressed with the works of these young lady leaders. Communities are gradually coming to understand the concept of disability and inclusive development. The works you all do complement the works of the SEEPD Program and I’m convinced that soon we shall accomplished our goals.
Emmanuel Chia,
SEEPD Program Officer
Nkweti Cynthia
October 31, 2015 at 3:33 pm
wow! this is really inspiring. I am moved by the joy on their faces. PWD need more empowerment like this
Karen Johnson Lassner
November 6, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Your photos are beautiful, Rachel!
I am very familiar with WILD and met Ruth at the TOT in Eugene, OR. Your photos are evidence of the great job Ruth did replicating everything she learned at the training. Thanks so much for documenting the experience!
Thecla Mbunwe
January 11, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Great job, inspiring. So proud of you.