Living with a disability in Congo: 29 and dreaming of a future again

A disability does not mean you are less or that you aren't of value in society. However, this was the reality for Pascal Blaise (29) from the Democratic Republic of Congo. "At school, no one wanted to sit next to me because they thought I could infect them."

7 January 2025

Pascal contracted polio in the third grade of primary school. The disease affected one of his legs, and a few years later, his second leg was affected too. He shares: "Because of polio, I became paralyzed in both legs. I moved around on my hands and knees."

Abandoned

This situation was hard for Pascal's family to accept. "My family completely abandoned me. To them, I was worthless because I couldn't help them with anything. They saw me as a burden." At school, he was treated similarly. "No one wanted to sit next to me or touch me. They thought I would infect them."

The situation took a toll on Pascal's feeling of self worth. "I felt terrible and abandoned. I had lost my dignity."

A helping hand

Despite the challenges, he decided not to give up. "I wanted to move forward." And he did: he completed his studies and found someone willing to help him. "That person paid for the surgeries I needed for my legs and bought crutches, which allowed me to move around again."

Then came the We are Able! project, which gave him an extra boost. Pascal explains: "The project did everything to show the people around us that people with disabilities are just as normal as they are. Training sessions were organized, and discussions were held on local radio stations."

A changed family

He noticed the project had a huge impact on his community. "My family changed. I was invited to family meetings again and was even allowed to speak at one. Those meetings gave me access to our land again so that I could work there. I couldn't have dreamed of being able to do that again."

Self-sufficient

Pascal vividly remembers surviving on 1,000 Congolese Francs—just over 30 cents—per day. "I had daily worries because I didn’t know if I’d have enough to eat the next day. Thanks to the project, I’ve learned more about nutrition and how to ensure there's always enough to eat. For instance, I started growing vegetables near my house. If there's no meat or fish available, I at least have vegetables. You often hear, 'Teach me to fish rather than give me fish,' and that’s exactly what this project has done. I’ve learned so much."

He is grateful. "Thanks to the project, I’ve seen my life change and improve. I live in my own house, have a wife and children, and I’m happy."

Pascal met zijn vrouw en kinderen in huis

Fewer rights

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, people with disabilities have fewer rights than in many other countries. Through the We are Able! project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by ZOA in collaboration with five other organizations, ZOA aims to improve the social position of people with disabilities in countries like DR Congo. This is done not only by actively involving them in policymaking and legislation but also by helping them earn an income so they can build a livelihood.