Tusumpulane Self-Help Group was formed in September 2023 after four persons with disabilities were trained under the Disability Inclusion Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) Project in August 2023. The group operates in Gwembe Plateau and currently has 26 members, comprising persons with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities.
The group includes members with different forms of disabilities, including physical disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, mental disabilities, and other forms of disabilities. Out of the 26 members, 5 are male while 21 are female.
When the group was first formed, some persons with disabilities in the community refused to join, believing the initiative was a waste of time. Despite this discouragement, the group remained committed and began meeting every Friday. During these meetings, members discussed the various challenges affecting persons with disabilities in their communities and identified key issues they wanted to address through collective action and advocacy.
One of the group’s first priorities was to become officially registered under the Gwembe Council so they could access opportunities and apply for funding as an organized group. In 2024, the group applied for support through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), but their application was unsuccessful.
Despite the setback, the group continued with its activities, including sewing and advocacy work. During this period, members observed that the District Commissioner’s office was not accessible to persons with disabilities because it only had staircases. In response, the group wrote a formal letter to the District Commissioner highlighting the importance of making public offices accessible to everyone, including persons with disabilities.
The group also advocated for the inclusion of a representative of persons with disabilities on the District Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Committee to ensure their voices and concerns were represented in decision-making processes.
Through the group’s advocacy efforts, significant progress was achieved. Today, the District Commissioner’s office is accessible to persons with disabilities, and one person with a disability now sits on the District DMMU Committee as a representative.
In 2025, the group renewed its registration certificate after it expired and reapplied for CDF support. This time, the group successfully received a grant of K10,000 to start a village chicken rearing project aimed at improving the livelihoods of its members.
The group expressed heartfelt gratitude to ADRA Zambia and Christian Blind Mission through the DIDRR Project for empowering persons with disabilities with knowledge, skills, and confidence. Members shared that the project has transformed their mindset, strengthened their independence, and enabled them to actively contribute to their families and communities.
Story by: Cynthia Nyirenda
English