A delegation of nine government
officials, missionaries, educators, and advocates from Zambia in
southern Africa was in the Twin Cities from March 28 to April 13
for an advanced disability leadership learning program sponsored
by five local disability organizations. Arc Greater Twin Cities,
the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota,
Fraser, St. David’s Child Development
and Family Services, and Opportunity Partners are collaborating on
a project titled “Twin Cities and Zambia Disability Connection,” which
began with the two-week intensive learning residency and will continue
this summer when trainers from the Twin Cities travel to Zambia.
The goal of this partnership is to support the Zambian delegation
to be change agents in further improving supports and services to meet
the needs of people with disabilities and their families in Zambia.
The delegation includes Grace Banda from the Zambia Ministry of Education;
Mikala Mukongolw from the Bauleni Street Kids project; Alice Kaunda,
a parent advocate; Sister Joyce Phiri, a Missionary Sister of St. Francis
of Assisi; Sister Agnes Daka, a Little Sister of St. Francis; Sister
Namangolw Liamunga, a Sister of Charity; and friars Joseph Ntumbila,
Patrick Chisanga and Deodatus Mbebe, all from The Zambia Province of
Franciscan Con-ventuals.
“In Zambia, there is need for people with disabilities together
with their parents to collaborate with other organizations to find
means to help people with disabilities achieve independence and learn
special skills to sustain themselves,” observes Brother Joseph. “The
church, the medical personnel, and other non-governmental organizations
need to come together in that work,” he adds. Mrs. Kaunda notes, “The
most difficult part of having a child with special needs is the lack
of general information and advice on the best way to help my child
achieve her full potential despite her disabilities. I came here
looking forward to learning all we possibly can about advocacy with
disabilities and special needs populations.”
The delegation’s intensive two-week experience in the Twin Cities
focused on best practices in advocacy, policies, and services. They
spent mornings in classroom sessions at Arc Greater Twin Cities addressing
topics such as the history of services and supports to people with
disabilities in Western countries, person-centered planning, early
intervention, family support, faith-based initiatives, special education,
residential services, special health care needs, and employment of
persons with disabilities. In the afternoons and evenings, they visited
a variety of community agencies and programs including Opportunity
Partners’ vocational training programs, St. David’s early
childhood and family support programs, Fraser’s group home
and autism program, Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts,
Wilderness Inquiry, Fraser, Gillette Lifetime Specialty HealthCare,
Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, and more.
“Services in Zambia are certainly not as widespread or complex
as those in the United States,” says Amy Hewitt, Training Director
at the Institute on
Father Deo has the hope that
as he returns to Zambia he can help “… to
eliminate the mentality the people have which states ‘people
with disabilities are the way they are because of bad omens.’”
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Community Integration,
which designed the training based on the University’s Certificate in Disability Policy and
Services. “Issues of poverty, nutrition, malaria and HIV/AIDS
are daily considerations for most Zambians. Yet there is great interest,
enthusiasm and emerging expertise in relation to people with disabilities
in Zambia. The time is right for a social justice agenda to bring
greater attention to people with disabilities and their rights.”
Sandy Beddor, an advocate
and Arc member whose family is supportive of many Twin Cities organizations
serving people with disabilities, has long-standing contacts with
religious organizations in Zambia and helped initiate the project,
along with Amy Hewitt. Reflecting on the visit and the work ahead,
she observes, “I hope we can open more
possibilities for people with special needs and disabilities in Zambia,
and demonstrate how just a few people with passion and heart can change
long-standing attitudes of shame and blame.” She adds, “Experiencing
a different approach that is empowering, and concentrating on what
people can accomplish rather than on what they cannot accomplish, changes
life for people with disabilities.” Father Deo has the hope that
as he returns to Zambia he can help “to change the attitude of
our parishioners towards people with special needs, especially to eliminate
the mentality the people have which states ‘people with disabilities
are the way they are because of bad omens.’” And Father
Patrick adds that he hopes to “use the pulpit to advocate for
a more Christ-like attitude toward people with special needs and
disabilities.”
For
more information about the Twin Cities and Zambia Disability Connection
visit the project's
blog,
or contact Arc Greater Twin Cities, 952-920-0855. ![end of story]()
