Daily Observer, 17 March 2006 -
by Ebrima Jaw Manneh
(THE GAMBIA) Dr Ancha Jagne-Ceesay, the
chairperson of the Hackney African Caribbean Disability
Association, a charity based in London, the UK, has said
the disabled need to be well educated so that they can
become self-reliant.
She made this observation shortly after her audience
last Friday with Dr Tamsir Mbowe, the Secretary of State
for Health.
"What I am trying to do is to empower them. Once they
are empowered, they can do it. Education is the way
forward. It is what they need and funding, " she
said.
She then added: "I want to help my country. My
foundation in education was from here. I am a Gambian. I
am the ambassador of the National Union of Disabled Youth
(Nudy). And every year, I try to help them financially
and give them material donations as well. They need help,
support, and education to enhance their livelihoods."
According to her, the disabled people in the UK are
"well looked after" and fight for their rights. "I know I
should not compare them with those in The Gambia, but
they are included in everything. I am sure if the
disabled in The Gambia have adequate funding and support,
they will be able to achieve their goals. I want to see
them in every office. I want them to be doctors, nurses,
journalists. If we start now we can do it. Every office
should be accessible to them even if they are in their
wheel chairs."
Dr Jagne-Ceesay disclosed that she got into the
disabled activism when she saw that the disabled were
discriminated against because of their disability. "When
I heard the story of disabled people, because of
segregation, I said to myself disabled is not the right
word. When you are disabled, your whole body cannot work.
It is impaired."
Source
www.observer.gm
