June 23rd, 2014, Kigali - Every year, NCPD organizes a meeting with all stakeholders to plan a head while looking back on their previous achievements.
During the meeting that took place at Hilltop hotel in Kigali, three main points were put on the agenda. First, NCPD presented the achievements of the year 2013/2014. And, while reflecting on the then completed year highlighted on the key priorities 2014/2015.
Second on the agenda was the coordination strategy. Software created in order to capture all activities done in disability domain areas was presented.
As well, the presentation of the research on the root causes of begging among People with Disabilities (PwDs).
Mr NIYOMUGABO Romalis, the President of NCPD expressed his gratitude to all participants for their initiatives to support PwDS. He said that they all work for a common goal, helping persons with disability, and this forum will help duplication of projects and help in sharing information, experience and techniques of improving PwDs’ livelihood.
When he was presenting NCPD achievements, budget execution for fiscal year 2013/2014 and key priorities 2014/2015, the Executive Secretary claimed that the budget allocated to NCPD is low comparing to activities that should be done to meet its objectives.
The Executive Secretary, also pointed out some challenges encountered during the Categorisation of PwDs. Funds were delayed and appointment of medical committee in charge of Categorization of Persons with Disabilities at National Level.
A Monitoring Tracking System that will help in the reporting system was presented to participants. This tool will help in monitoring and coordination of all activities done in disability movements. Each institution will avail a person who will be trained on how to use the system.
Findings of the baseline study done on the root causes of begging among PWDS illustrated the root causes of begging among persons with disabilities in Rwanda and toidentify key recommendations for NCPD and development partners for addressing begging issue amongst persons with disabilities. According to the results of his baseline, the main causes are mind-set of some PWDs who take begging as a career,lack of employable skills; low level of education/illiteracy;experience and income earned from begging; the nature of disability; encouragement from family members who respect their work and/or do not care about the fact that one of their own begs; and general poverty.
The representative of Paediatric Centre “Sainte Marie†in Rilima took this opportunity shared information their partnership to improve the quality of life of neurological disabled children through a comprehensive approach that implies a process of prevention, early diagnosis and training for the benefit of medical and social staff, patients’ families and local community, a partnership with an Italian institution, Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation. This project starts in 2014 and ends 2017.
NCPD President thanked all participants and requested them to work as a team in the spirit of empowering persons with disabilities through employable skills and promised the maximum cooperation of the NCPD.
Sylvie Nyirabugenimana | NCPD