People with Disabilities

Almost 1 in 10 working-age adults in Africa has a disability (Mitra et al. 2013). However, despite being a common sight, people with disabilities in Africa often face stigma, especially if they are women. In a country where becoming self-reliant is a struggle for many, the disability can make it even harder for the individual to create a life for themselves.

Afrinspire is working with partners to promote a more inclusive society and create employment opportunities for people with disabilities, along with improved access to basic education, and vocational training to help gain jobs.

The Elderly

Many older African citizens face struggles with their daily lives. For instance, some may have limited mobility on treacherous, often mountainous terrain, and poor health and nutrition, whilst still being expected to provide for themselves and orphaned grandchildren. Furthermore, the traditional extended family is gradually weakening, and the increasing urbanization and death of partners and peers often
leaves the elderly socially isolated.

Afrinspire partners have advocated for increased funding, attention and support for the elderly, and provided practical support and advice through elderly groups and support for older guardians of orphans.

Refugees

Forced displacement of people is a real issue for the African region, arising from conflict, persecution, human rights abuses, natural disasters and failure of governance. The region hosted 5.1 million refugees at the end of 2016, and Uganda in particular is known for its open-door policy to refugees (UNHCR 2017). 

Afrinspire has a range of programs targeting the needs of different refugee groups, ranging from teaching English or basic literacy, to counselling and psychological support to enable displaced groups to express their cultural identity. We also provide start-up funds for farming or enterprise to enable self-sufficiency.

The Batwa

The Batwa are a marginalised ethnic minority living in South-Western Uganda. Traditionally tropical rainforest dwellers, the Batwa have been systematically evicted from their natural habitat due to conservationists creating National Parks. Owning no land, they have had to squat amidst other hostile communities, and adapt to a very different lifestyle.

Afrinspire has been supporting the Batwa in this adaptation since 1999, with land, tools and equipment, and support for community leaders. The progress is visible; many of the community are now clothed, when they initially had only rags, houses now have corrugated sheet roofs, and children are beginning to attend school.

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