Empowered and mobilized citizens with strengthened community group voices

The review of reports has established that there is a realization among the PWDs community groups that for a long time had abdicated their role of participation in governance which resulted in poor service delivery. Most of the groups admit that the gaps in service delivery were as a result of lack of knowledge which suppressed their ability to demand “demand” for quality services. Once they started engagement with the authorities’ service delivery has improved. Community groups now have a platform to articulate demands and dialogue and interface with duty bearers: The gap in information had denied groups the ability to stand up for themselves.

Strengthened collaboration and networking between partners

Increased capacity to network and collaborate and learning: Built and enhanced relationships and trust between citizens and institutions (at local, regional and national levels. Many examples of PWDs groups are currently collaborating with and complementing local authorities. In exercise of their ability to learn and apply their ownership of Turning the Tide skills and knowledge.

Success stories
Peaceful procession by PWDs in one of the Kenyan towns- seeking to be heard through nonviolent campaigns.

Most PWDs have limited access to information due to low levels of education and curtailed/limited exposure and movement. Muungano self help group in its inception stages got a chance to receive Turning the Tide training. As a result, the group identified in details the social injustices challenging efforts of disability inclusion in the community. It was then that they established that despite the government rolling out funding to support people with disabilities, the procedures and requirements of access remained unclear. On work and employment, they observed that their disability had affected their individual earnings and household income due to challenges accessing formal employment, they also faced barriers to informal work and self-employment due to exclusion from micro-credit schemes.

After the training the group embarked on a social campaign to change their fortunes armed with the training, campaign strategies and a promise from AfriNOV to walk with them. The group leveraged on Turning the Tide skills to break barriers to financial access and empowerment of people with disabilities. This has seen them expand from nothing to a recognized and an expanding business owning group. The group also started to seek information on available opportunities for income generation. They have been able to apply for several government grants and affirmative funds. They have built partnerships with local organizations, local leaders and government officials. The group has distinguished itself as the most improved PWD grassroots group in Nairobi region.

Muungano group membersAccording to the Chairman Mr Mwangi:

“Our group has come from far. Ours is a testimony of grass to grace. Muungano group for the disabled is AfriNov baby. They have seen us through registration, our first campaign, our first affirmative action grant was as a result of Turning the Tide training from AfriNov. Our eyes were opened. We now have a voice! In the past we were on the table as a menu but after the training on challenging social injustices we are actively taking over the table.” “I have immensely benefited from AfriNOV democracy and governance training. After learning on the many ways that we PWDs could participate I embarked on a plan to be elected into political leadership. The more information I got the more confident I became. I was part of the Azimo Coalition (a political formation in the last general elections) even though I didn’t clinch the party ticket, I am pleased with my participation and I have a new outlook towards leadership. I am as capable as anyone else. I am now open to take up any other leadership role in my community. I am a winner!!” says one of the members of the PWDs group.

“The days running up to the last general election and after election were charged with emotions. As PWDs the 2022 election saw the highest number of PWDs interest in participating and also running for political representation seats. As a group some of our members applied for nominations and were promised the same if the party fared well in elections. Well this was not to be when elections were done. One of our members was denied the nomination and he was replaced. After realizing the injustice and political alienation and discrimination of one of our PWDs being short changed we got charged. An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. It has been a roller-coaster. We put all our Turning the Tide skills into action. We mobilized for collective action on the streets with banners. We were not relenting. We may have been unsuccessful due to timelines and technicalities but we are not letting up. This act of speaking out against injustice has really amplified our voice, presence and we have earned respect. We are unbowed. Aluta continua!” testifies another group leader that has benefited from the Turning the Tide program on nonviolence campaigning.

Due to the training received PWDs have become very courageous and unbowed because giving up is not an option in the quest for justice. The quote below has become their mantra as they forge ahead to ensure sustainable peace and justice in their respective communities.In keeping silent about evil, in burying it so deep within us that no sign of it appears on the surface, we are implanting it, and it will rise up a thousand-fold in the future. When we neither punish nor reproach evildoers, we are not simply protecting their trivial old age, we are thereby ripping the foundations of justice from beneath new generations.

The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956