World Friends has recently launched a survey on disability and its consequences in the slum of Babadogo, an informal settlement in the north-eastern part of Nairobi.
The organization has been acting in favor of the slum population for several years, paying particular attention to people with disabilities, especially children. In order to get a better picture of the disability issue in the slum (official data are lacking), World Friends initiated this research. The purpose is twofold: to improve the existing services and to be able to better design future interventions. Our local partner, ACREF, joined our effort. A team of surveyors, Ramadhan Obiero (ACREF Chairperson) and Nicola Griffith (WF Volunteer), has been carrying out interviews to families and institutions within Babadogo for the last 7 weeks.
The survey was structured as follows:
1. Mapping of services dedicated to PWDs (Person With Disabilities) in place;
2. Random interviews to households from the 9 different villages of Babadogo;
3. Interviews to families with members with disabilities.
Some awareness actions were also included in the plan. The first was the participation to an open reunion of local chiefs, called “Baraza”, which took place on November, 19th at the village of Laundry. Jecinta (WF), Hellen (Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital) and Mama Jecinta and Mama Collins got the opportunity to sensitize the slum dwellers about the disability, its common causes, the diffuse stigma against PWDs and the consequent social exclusion, the services locally offered through the Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital facility and its partners.
A second event will be organized on December, 3rd to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. ACREF will be hosting this awareness moment at its centre, in Babadogo, for the whole community. In particular, at the theatre we will be screening a short video on disability, “REFUSE THE STIGMA”, produced in collaboration with CISP, ACREF, and Cultural Video Foundation and with the support of the European Union.
Furthermore, a third event is scheduled after the completion of the survey, in order to inform local authorities and the general public about the outcome of the research.
Jacopo Rovarini
World Friends Kenya