September 2009

ICI Staff Travel to Zambia to Continue Work with Partners

This summer, ICI staff members Matthew Bogenschutz, Derek Nord, and Kristin Hamre traveled to Zambia to continue the work of the Twin Cities-Zambia Disability Connection. For nearly three weeks, from August 14 until September 2, they traveled around the country delivering training and conversing with various stakeholders interested in improving the status of people with disabilities.

The purpose of this trip, the third by ICI staff, was to train self-advocates, parents, educators, and government officials on the importance of including individuals with disabilities in all aspects of daily life, with the hope of building grassroots leadership aimed at helping Zambians with disabilities to gain a greater sense of belonging in their communities. Principles for taking community action were also presented to give the leaders ideas about realizing their plans within the Zambian context. “The trainings allowed us to connect with people with disabilities, parents, and professionals throughout country, but more importantly, these groups were able to connect with each other,” Derek said. In addition, demonstrations of the College of Direct Support were offered to several groups, who were also provided access to this online learning tool for ongoing learning. Highlights of the group’s work in Zambia include:

• Six half-day advocacy and capacity-building trainings with self-advocates, parent advocates, and leaders from educational and faith communities.
  
  
• Demonstrations of the College of Direct Support with faculty and students at the University of Zambia and the Zambia Institute for Special Education, as well as a special education teacher group.
  
  
• Meetings with Ministry of Education officials in Kitwe and at the country’s largest hospital, where new project partners were discovered.
  
  
• A 30-minute interview about disability issues on Radio Mosi-O-Tunya in Livingstone, reaching a listenership of about 65,000.
  

Matthew, Derek, and Kristin also saw firsthand the impact of the intensive training that was provided to a group of Zambian partners who visited Minnesota in the spring of 2008. Participants Mikala Mukongolwa, Sister Namangolwa Liamunga, Friar Joseph Ntumbila, and Sister Agnes Daka were all instrumental in coordinating training sessions and, along with several other trainees, have assumed leadership roles in the movement to improve conditions for people with disabilities. “The energy of the leaders we met was amazing, and their commitment will help build relationships that will help people with disabilities throughout the country,” Kristin said.

The disability movement in Zambia is still new and much remains to be done. Disability is still stigmatized and many people with disabilities are not afforded the opportunity to participate in daily life in their communities. But progress is being made and will continue as awareness grows. “The time seems right to push for better human rights for people with disabilities in Zambia, and I’m very hopeful that ICI’s work has helped in some small way to add awareness and equip leaders who can continue a uniquely Zambian disability rights movement,” Matthew says.

FFI, visit the project’s blog at http://twincitieszambiadisabilityconnection.blogspot.com or contact Matthew at boge0021@umn.edu or 612-625-0171.