kanthari Course Alumni 2010

Chhitup Lama

Country: Nepal
Organisation: Head Nepal

HEAD Nepal sees a Nepal where people with disabilities participate actively in all sectors of society with a high social position and respect and works for all kinds of persons with disabilities in Humla district. Head Nepal conducts a number of support services, vocational/educational training, awareness/sensitization programs workshops/seminar throughout the year for different kinds of persons with disabilities  Currently the major focus remains on providing education/training to the blind and partially sighted children in Humla.

More info can be found on http://headnepal.org/

Nyima Wangdu

Country: China
Organisation: Braille Without Borders

Nyima runs thee BWB Preparatory school & vocational training (farm, cheese factory, bakery) for visually impaired

Erick Litembekho Lijodi

Country: Kenya
Organisation: Khonye Community Project

Preparatory school & vocational training (farm, cheese factory, bakery) for visually impaired

Joseck Omskoyo Otungo

Country: Kenya
Organisation: Mbusie Development Project International

Table banking groups and greenhouses for visually impaired

Fallah S. Bioma

Country: Liberia
Organisation: Liberia Christian Handicapped Organization (LICHO)

To prove that the disabled are not just consumers or dependents but empowered independent individuals.

Kaprie Kanu

Country: Sierra Leone
Organisation: Centre for Inclusion and Empowerment (CIE)

CIE is a non-governmental organization working for the education, empowerment and inclusion of marginalized and disadvantaged youth, mainstreaming their needs into national socio-economic development. Kaprie has over 8 years of experience working directly with grassroots communities focusing on the capacity building of vulnerable youth in communities of post-Ebola Liberia and Sierra Leone. CIE has several programs: Youth leadership, Mentorship, Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation, Sexual & Reproductive Health and Civic Education. CIE offers a holistic set of services- from after school enrichment and monitoring to clinical counseling and crisis intervention that serve over 1000 young people and their families every year. more here

Ling Jin

Country: China
Organisation: VIP Training Center for the Visually Impaired

One Plus One is an organisation that offers services to blind and disabled people in China. The organisation also has a radio-show on national radio, as well as a wechat account through which many people are reached. There are around 30,000 people listening to each of the radio programs, more than 1,000 people are calling in each month, articles on the website are read by more than 500 people each day. The total number of beneficiaries that we reach each year is app 60,000.  

Daniel Esih Chiambah

Country: Cameroon
Organisation: Enabling Platform for Impaired Persons

Daniel started the first Braille Printing Press in Cameroon enabling blind students to study with dignity and stand on their own feet independently.

Deginet Wotengo Doyiso

Country: Ethiopia
Organisation: Opportunities Ethiopia

To set-up an enterprise-based training center for aspiring disabled women entrepreneurs and provide them with micro credits for start up.

Ruci Senikula

Country: Fiji
Organisation: Institute for Accessible Technology

To set up the first computer and ICT training center in Fiji that will cater specifically for the needs of the visually impaired youths and adults.

Bahati Satir Omar

Country: Rwanda
Organisation: Uwezo Youth Empowerment

A centre where visually impaired youth,acquires various skills and knowledge,enabling them to overcome social, economical and psychological challenges.

David William Sexton

Country: USA
Organisation: Ka Jingkieng Ksiar (The Golden Bridge)

Montessori Preparatory school for tribal children 3-8 years old.

Joshua B. Shadrach

Country: Liberia
Organisation: National Empowerment Blind Organization

For the Liberian community to overcome their ignorance and negative perceptions about blind people and allow them scope to develop their human potential and gain a sense of dignity.

Mary Ma

Country: China
Organisation: Center for Intergration Education Research

Mary works with blind and visually impaired children, adolescents and youth as well as with children with Cerebral palsy. Through her project, all of them learn and play together. The main goal is to stop discrimination and stigmatisation.

Mohammed Waseem

Country: India
Organisation: Eyetech Centre for Disabled

A computer training centre based on free and open source technology to create various employment opportunities for disabled people.

Judith Muloyo Jandi

Country: Kenya
Organisation: Siogope Resource Centre

Judith runs the Siogope Resource centre which empowers and advocates for the rights of people with  albinism and builds their self confidence through livelihood training. Beneficiaries are trained in poultry keeping and small scale farming. Additionally, a home based programme for children with Albinism and most vulnerable children was started. 

Gerel Dondovdorj

Country: Mongolia
Organisation: Lighthouse

Ms. Gerel Dondovdorj is President of the Mongolian National Federation of the Blind. She is a member of the executive committee of the World Blind Union and a board member of the World Blind Union -Asia Pacific. In addition, she has been involved in drafting the law on the rights of persons with disabilities in the Mongolian Parliament, as well as drafting the National Disability Program

Joanna Katarzyna Zdobylak

Country: Poland
Organisation: Employment Platform for the Blind

Polish visually impaired citizens to be empowered and treated equally on the job market

Eric Kissi

Country: Ghana
Organisation: Centre for Inclusive Development (CENTID)

An inclusive society where the marginalised enjoy their Socio-Economic rights.

Michael Muzah

Country: Zimbabwe
Organisation: Spirit of Survivors

Michaels organization was finally registered on the 15th of October, 2010, as a trust under the name "Spirit of Survivors Africa". The Trust is run by two blind professionals driven by passion and commitment. Michael Muzah is coming from a background of sixteen years experience in the field of rehabilitation while Nyamayabo Mashavakure is bringing his twenty-five years experience in the field of Education. The trust focuses mainly on those who became blind at a later age suffering from diseases or accidents. It's mission is to empower this specific target group by building confidence, enhancing economic independence and improving their lives in general. Newly blind people are being made aware of what blindness is all about and through rehabilitation and survival skills training they regain confidence so they look forward to a life of opportunities. 

Simon Muchineripi Mvindi

Country: Zimbabwe
Organisation: Centre for Blind People in Zimbabwe

Working for the success of blind people by blind people through creating equal opportunities and capacity building.
The centre for Blind People in Zimbabwe creates an environment that allows people with disabilities to attain a better quality of life.

Monicah Wanjiro Kaguithia

Country: Kenya
Organisation: ENTITO AFRICA INITIATIVE, KENYA

Vision: Empowering women and enabling them to make an impact on community social and economic decision-making. Monica is living proof that one person can make a tremendous difference. Forced into marriage at the age of 16, she narrowly escaped female genital mutilation (FGM) when she became pregnant. She could not however escape the physical and emotional abuse she suffered for not conforming to the harmful tradition, which reflects deep-rooted inequality and is an extreme form of discrimination against women. Monica came to kanthari because she wanted to protect the rights of women and girls in Kenya by changing social norms and cultural practices. Kanthari gave Monica the skills and confidence to launch Entito Africa Initiative, which teaches girls and women about their human rights, reproductive health and the value of education. Rather than let it hide under a cultural banner, Monica is labeling FGM for what it is: one of the worst forms of violence against women and girls. She is working with communities at large and suggesting alternatives, like education, as a substitute rite of passage. As a result, communities are reaping the rewards that come with adapting to change, as many girls will be able to make significant contributions to their communities and country. Monica is making strides to ensure healthier lives for girls and the realization of their personal potential. She is becoming a true social change-maker in Kenya.