Have you noticed people just like you but different in some way living with you in your communities? Most of you know them as People with Disabilities. So what’s special about them? You might ask. And I tell you they are special because they have a equality to earn. They should walk the extra mile to win their rights and they should talk more about themselves to earn their living.

That’s why they have organized themselves globally as Young Voices for a collective effort to earn what they deserve to live in our own communities equally. So why don’t we look at some great achievements in three countries around the world.

Let’s begin with Nyamizi from Tanzania, a vibrant youngster who wants to be heard. She has just graduated from the University of Mzumbe, Morogoro. According to her the biggest change her group experienced was the boost of confidence and the empowering awareness of the rights of the People With Disabilities in the UN Convention that enabled them to meet the employers like NCSS in her country and invoke awareness in them regarding the employability of the young persons with disabilities. She and her friends think that meeting the stakeholders that are responsible to make their lives better in various ways personally and convincing them about the possibilities of incorporating the Persons With Disabilities in their daily life is the best way to campaign in her country.

The way forward for Tanzanian youngsters with disabilities as she says, is an attempt to continuing their activities with the help of people in their community who can contribute to sustain the social incorporation of the youth.

Precious from Zambia has a different story to tell. She considers the advocacy to be the central element of their success in Signing, ratifying and implementing the legal framework for the people with disabilities in her country. They have T V and Radio programs in the local stations to educate the public about their rights and achievements as well. Thereby she and her friends have eradicated the discrimination in her community quite effectively.

Ashura from Kenya has her own achievements to share with us. As an individual she has won the Miss Deaf in the world in the modeling career. It was in fact an opportunity that was opened to her through the advocacy campaigns of the organization called Young Voices Kenya. Consequently she is now confident to stand stronger in emphasizing the rights of the Persons with Disabilities in her country. She believes that the most effective factor of campaigning is showing the power of the Persons of Disability through example. However the Kenyan youngsters with Disabilities are going to sustain their effort of retaining their rights through continual advocacy campaigns and country-wide awareness.

The three stories of these three individuals about their effort could indeed be an inspiration as well as an enlightening experience for all of us who dare to even fight for the silliest right in the world without a basis.

P.S. This article put together by me and another team consisted of 3 participants, was selected to be included in the publications of LC Global Young Voices.