| DADP |
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| A Disability Awareness and Development Programme (DADP) with ADEMO 2003 - 2006 |
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| Ivo de Jesus (LARDEF) and Alex Phiri (SAFOD), external observers at ADEMO's General Assembly |
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| Ivo de Jesus (LARDEF) and Alex Phiri (SAFOD) with members of ADEMO |
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DDP’s partnership with ADEMO began with the DADP programme with capacity building as the central element. The project coincided with a difficult period for ADEMO as there was a rift in the organisation and ADEMO members were struggling to find a solution. Comic Relief, the main programme donor, supported DDP to help resolve ADEMO’s problems by utilizing DADP resources to finance a mediation process, which was successful.
DDP was able to bring together skilled development and disability consultants such as Alexander Phiri of the South African Federation of Disabled People, Ivo De Jesus of LARDEF and Isaac Nyathi, a disability consultant to work with ADEMO. There was support also from the Mozambican NGO Forum. This entire process was a valuable learning exercise for all concerned in democratic principles and culminated in the October 2005 General Assembly with the participation of representatives from all provincial branches. A new President and Management Committee were elected and ADEMO was then able to make fundamental changes in the way it worked with a General Secretary and other staff employed to carry out the day to day administration and implement programmes.
DADP enabled ADEMO to re-energise as an organisation and put in place properly democratic governance structures – providing a model for other organisations. One of the programme’s most significant components was the development and adoption of a new 3-year strategic plan to direct ADEMO’s short and medium term activities and assist their growth as a professional organisation.
During the 2nd phase of DADP a particular focus was to revitalise ADEMO’s branch in Gaza province. The programme therefore set up an office in Xai Xai (the provincial capital) and recruited new staff to oversee and manage DADP’s income generation element. A group of ADEMO members received livelihood support to start enterprises or in the form of cattle or fishing equipment. Full training was given to beneficiaries and a system has been established to provide follow up and continuing support.
This aspect of the project helped to combat the stigma and discrimination that disabled people routinely face in Mozambique – as in many countries – by highlighting people’s capabilities rather than their disabilities, with extra positive effects such as helping to provide economic security for disabled people’s families and increasing self esteem and dignity. |
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