Career Fair
CBM together with Radar Development celebrated the International Day for Persons with Disabilities this year by hosting a career fair for youth with disabilities.
Radar Development is the only recruitment consultancy in Tanzania and Kenya dedicated to finding meaningful employment for people with disabilities. Radar Development assists employers in placing people with disabilities within their organisations through a comprehensive package of information and support services.
Broadcast on YouTube
This initiative was aimed at helping prepare the young people with disabilities, especially graduates and those in institutions of higher learning, for careers in various professions. The event had a successful turnout of 67 students from different local universities and colleges. Participants received advice from Radar Development experts and six keynote speakers who gave motivational and inspirational speeches.
The event was broadcast live on CBM Kenya's YouTube channel via Google Hangout , you can watch it there.
Celebrating in Turkana County
"I am actually surprised that such a day exists", says Peter a young man with a physical disability.
The World Disability day 2012 was celebrated for the first time in Lodwar, Turkana County a marginalised community in Northern Part of Kenya. Traditional dancers held the theme banner as they led the rest of the people in a procession from Lodwar District Hospital through the town centre to the venue.
More than 300 people with disabilities braved the hot sun to attend the function that was held at ‘Mkeka grounds’ in Lodwar Town. The crowd listened intently as speech after speech was made from government line ministries, CBM emergency partners, the chairman and a representative of the Turkana Disability Network (TDN), CBM Regional Programme Manager and Emergency Officer.
Community mobilisation and sensitisation workshop.
CBM partner Merlin distributed assistive devices to people with disabilities who had been examined earlier. Others were examined at the grounds by occupational therapists from the Ministry of Health for referrals to Lodwar District Hospital for free treatment and distribution of assistive devices. 20 persons with disabilities underwent orthopedic surgery throughout that week at Lodwar District hospital by local doctors and specialists from AMREF , this was made possible through partnership between CBM, Merlin, the Ministry of Health and Lodwar District Hospital.
A sensitisation workshop around mainstreaming disability in humanitarian projects was also held. A total of 50 participants were present at the workshop, 30 from humanitarian organisations as well as 20 representatives from Turkana Disability Network (TDN).
In reference to 2012 theme “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all” people with disabilities discussed the barriers they face in Turkana County which prevent them from full participation in their communities and society. Limited health and rehabilitation services, lack of education and employment opportunities as well as cultural and societal stigma and beliefs were recognised as the major obstacles to a fully inclusive and accessible society.
CBM, Merlin, Kenya Red Cross and the Chairman of the TDN were interviewed at a local interactive community radio station, Radio ‘Akicha’ (which means light) about all events and the barriers people with disabilities face in Turkana County, listeners were able to phone in and share their experiences and ask questions.