Disabled group to conquer Mt.Kilimanjaro and the global recession

Disabled group to conquer Mt.Kilimanjaro and the global recession

An inspirational young Kenyan leader who lost the use of both legs due to polio is among a group of disabled people planning to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro later this month.

Fredrick Ouko, the Director of the unique Kenyan NGO ANDY (Action Network for the Disabled) has taken up the challenge, led by UK-based charity AbleChild Africa, despite needing two crutches to walk.

The group starts the grueling week-long climb on Thursday 27th November to raise money for vital services to children with disabilities in Kenya that have been hit by the world's financial crisis.

People with disabilities face a much bigger challenge to access services and climb out of poverty due to stigmatisation, limited education opportunities, inadequate access to economic opportunities and the labour market.  That’s why 80% of Kenyans with disabilities - approximately 1.4 million persons - live in informal settlements at the edge of cities or under very poor conditions in rural areas.*
 
Fredrick is raising funds to help ANDY’s activities which give more young people with disabilities the chance to achieve economic independence, to have a voice in the decision-making process and to lead healthier, active lives.

Based in Nairobi’s Kibera, ANDY is the only Kenyan NGO which works with physically disabled, blind and deaf young people. The organisation has strong ties to AbleChildAfrica, one of its strongest partner.

The group will be joined in their adventure by Dame Evelyn Glennie, a world-famous percussionist who is herself profoundly deaf, and Lily Oyare, Founder and Director of  Little Rock Early Childhood Development Centre for disabled children.

Little Rock provides a nurturing environment for critical early year learning/development to around one eighth of Kibera’s vulnerable children.  

Fredrick Ouko, Director of ANDY, said:
“I decided as person with a disability to climb Mt.Kilimanjaro to demonstrate that what all of us need is just an opportunity and support to make it in life. There are tens of people supported me in different ways. That is why I am where I am today and this is my opportunity to support my peers to make it in life.
“Sometimes official funding is hard to come by and as a person interested in what I am doing because I can see its impact, I am no longer going to sit in the comfort of my office but rather go out there to seek this support that will enable ANDY reach thousands of young disabled people in Kenya.”
Mary Ann Mhina, Executive Director of AbleChildAfrica said:
"Fred and Lily and two inspirational leaders who are helping to give young disabled Africans the best possible start in life. But it's been a really tough time for them financially and I've noticed that many larger International NGOs and corporations have dumped local partners to aid their own survival."

Dame Evelyn Glennie said: "I have chosen AbleChildAfrica and the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro because I want to make a sustainable difference to our next generation. I have good reason to recognize the importance of education for ALL children;  it empowered me to make my own unique journey in life. The children supported by this charity desperately need inclusion.”

Speaking about the reason for the climb, Mary Ann added:
"The aim of the climb is two-fold.  We want to raise awareness of the fact that 52 million disabled young people in Africa are denied their rights on a daily basis.  95% do not complete their primary education and less than 2% are employed thereafter.  And we also want to raise much needed funds for Fred and Lily's work. 
 “Yet  young disabled people have the right to be independent, included and make their own choices.  To learn what they want to learn and choose a career and lifestyle for themselves. Each of the young people climbing Kilimanjaro has chosen to join us on this journey, going the extraordinary mile to celebrate their empowerment.”

The teams of climbers will set out on their challenge together at the end of November. You can make a donation online at www.justgiving.com/Fredrick-Ouko
 

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