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Update 8 - 13th August 2005

LEADERSHIP
What an inspiring group of people with disabilities we recently met in a town called Maychew in Southern Tigray. The ORSA Zonal Head took us to meet these folk who were waiting for us in front of a building construction.

This group of thirteen persons, are members of a the Southern Tigray Branch of the National Association of Physically Disabled which has a current membership of 150 persons. The Association is led by an amazing man called Hagazi, a double above the knees amputee, whose legs were blown off during the war, who propels himself around in a rather old, wobbly wheelchair. His vitality and enthusiasm was contagious. He had his notebook with all the details about the construction listing work to date and what was still needed.

The group members had previously been trained at the ORSA Mekelle Vocational Training Centre is shoe making and repairing and tailoring. On completion of training graduates were given a 1,500 birr loan to start-up their own business. Most had done this and were operating from their own homes or on the sides of the roads. The group felt that these working conditions did not allow them to maximize their sales to improve their income to a satisfactory level.

A loan was negotiated with ORSA and the Rural Development Bureau for funds to construct thirteen small market outlets, under one roof, in a major commercial section of the town. Land had been given by the Municipal Authorities. The name for the project is called “SENAY” which means HOPE. The steel framework was being built at the time of our visit. The group members were quick to point out that the foundation had been done by the members but the steel fabrication required technical expertise which they did not have.

Of the thirteen members only one was a woman. The work that will be conducted will be mainly shoe making and repairing and tailoring but other trade items will probably be added to supplement their income. As eight of the members were shoe makers we asked “Won’t this be too much competition”. This question was met with great laughter as they replied:
“ There is plenty of business for us all” ….“We share with one another.”

This sharing aspect was reflected in many ways:
Hagazi said “I am training three other people with disabilities in skills such as machine knitwear.”

“When we have finished this building and it is working we will then start on helping another group to get started possibly in poultry production.”

Hagazi looked at us and said “Would you like to know my vision for the future?” We nodded.

“ In the future we do not want to have one disabled person begging in Maychew.”

Under his leadership this vision is likely to be achieved.

We left this meeting feeling quite exhilarated and very positive. Our time with the Group highlighted many aspects:

• The critical role of good leadership
• The spirit of cooperation and sharing among Group members
• The initial acquiring of skills through the ORSA vocational training progam
• The continuing support of ORSA through financial and technical assistance
• The very important support and encouragement by ORSA Zonal Head and staff in areas such as helping to facilitate the granting of land from the Municipal Authorities; having discussions with the Group and so on
• The involvement of other bodies e.g. Municipal Office, Rural Developemt.

Overall it illustrates what can be achieved if all of these factors come together.

Helen
13th August 2005.