In Rwanda, as well as, in most of the countries in World; in big or small cities; we find some beggars whom the big number is made by PWDs. In Rwandan Culture, begging is considered as divergent from one’s dignity, makes someone who begs to feel and be considered helpless and worthless in the society hence decrease his self esteem. This is the reason why, the National Council of Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with Rwandan Cultural Health Centre (RCHC) thought to conduct an anti-begging campaign using scientific approach, especially psychological ones to assess the problem in its root causes all over the country, working with PWDs beggars through research baseline survey in order to find a sustainable way to address the issue of wandering and begging among PWDs which could also help to introduce a sustainable solution to the issue of beggars and street people in the country.
Within this framework, on March 18, 2013 in NCPD Conference room, held a meeting gathering NCPD coordinators of 16 Districts selected for pre-field work, RCHC staff, and NCPD staff involved in anti-begging campaign. This briefing meeting intended to have a common understanding on pre-field work scheduled to take place soon. The pre-field activity aims at collecting preliminary data on PWDs beggars which will be based on while preparing a concept note of anti- begging project.
Based on psychology of beggars, Dr Rutembesa Eugène, Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at National University of Rwanda insisted on the fact that the change for mindset of PWDs beggars must be matching with the change of the image that the society has towards Persons with disability.
Note that this activity has been preceded by Radio and TV Live talk show done on 10th March 2013 where the NCPD Executive Secretary, Mr. Ndayisaba Emmanuel and the Director of RCHC, Mr Modeste Nzayisenga explained to Rwandan Communityabout this activity. They highlighted 7 steps of anti-begging campaign:
- Through Radio and TV talk show, mobilize and explain to Rwandan Community on how the anti-begging campaign is planned and how will be implemented.
- Pre-field work for briefing and familiarization of PWDs street beggars through their group most influent person.
- Field work for research baseline: data collection, talent detection and basic psycho-education among PWDs street beggars through Focus group Discussion (FGD).
- Data analysis, scientific tool construction, making research report.
- Workshop with NCPD Stakeholders on the research report.
- Formation of Cooperatives and professional trainings of PWDs who were street beggars.
- Follow up: Sustainable Rehabilitation Program.
Reported by
NYIRABUGENIMANA Sylvie/NCPD