People with disabilities in DR Congo are often considered of less importance in society. Kwankaba Barabara experienced this as well. “My relatives and community excluded me and I began to doubt myself.” This had a major impact on him, his family and his job.
Disability
It started ten years ago, when Kwankaba Barabara bought a piece of land together with his brother. “My brother passed away a few months later, and his son took over the entire field. He excluded me by claiming that I couldn't cultivate the land with my disability.”
But the We are Able! project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave Kwankaba Barabara new hope. ZOA runs this project in six African countries, in collaboration with five other organisations. The goal of the five-year-programme is to help people with a disability achieve a sustainable, fully-fledged place in their community, so that they have greater food security. “We are Able! taught me that despite my disability, I have rights. Even when it comes to inheritance and land rights.”
He continues: “The moment I heard that, I wanted to act immediately. With the help of We are Able!, I was able to file a complaint with the village chief. He had already been informed about the rights of people with disabilities and did his utmost best to restore my land rights.”
Income
In DR Congo, people with disabilities have fewer rights than in many other countries. Through the We are Able! project in DR Congo, ZOA aims to strengthen their social position. Not only by providing support and teaching them about their rights. But also to help them get an income so they can build a life for themselves again.
With this help, Kwankaba Barabara was eventually able to reclaim his field and have it registered so that no one could take it away from him. “Now I can cultivate my land without any hinderance. I feel accepted by the community again.” Moreover, he can now provide an income. “I grow cassava and maize, and with the harvest, I can support my family and ensure there is enough food on the table.” His family, who suffered a lot under his exclusion, is happy again to be self-sufficient.