News from ResponsABLE Assistance

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Joseph Broughton

ResponsABLE assistance’s FURSA project pilot has been awarded funding from the Welsh government. Meaning ‘Freedom’ in Swahili, Fursa is an initiative to assist disabled people to create their own sustainable enterprises in rural Kenya.

In partnership with the Kibwezi Disabled Peoples Organisation (KDPO) and Project Co-ordinator Dr. Cecilia W Nyaga we are undertaking a pilot starting January 2020 in order for three enterprises in this rural district of Kenya to be ready to trade by 2021.

Prior to trading, enterprises funded by our Fursa initiative will have been assisted in areas necessary to trade independently and compliant with local regulations etc. We understand the therapeutic, financial and community benefits enterprise can provide to people with disabilities. Fursa will then fund the enterprises start-up.

Since our explicatory visit to Kenya in 2015 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7aUNlDLhiQ) a film put together by volunteers Vaughan and Katie upon their return to the UK) we have been partnering with the Kibwezi Disabled Peoples Organisation and Dr. Nyaga to improve the lives of disadvantaged disabled people in this region where social welfare as we know it simply does not exist. Fursa will provide the opportunity for the creation of correctly structured enterprises to encourage sustainable independent futures. Initially three enterprises will be funded and it is our intention to look into expanding our FURSA initiative to other regions in Kenya and beyond.

On Sunday 15th December from 7pm in Potters Newport there will be a ResponsABLE assistance benefit evening of live music from 7pm. Tickets £5 available at the door.

Nakuru County Paravolley Club visiting Greater Molo

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Joseph Broughton

Members of the Brecon Molo Community Partnership (BMCP) are celebrating a successful bid for a Wales and Africa grant. The grant enables the Nakuru County Paravolley Club sitting volleyball team tour around Molo, in Kenya, and surrounding communities. Twelve players and supporting members of the club will start their tour early in 2020 around the communities of Molo, Njoro and Kuresoi to help raise awareness of Paralympic sport in Kenya and the aspirations of disabled people amongst the non-disabled community.

The idea was first discussed by members of BMCP at a meeting with the Director of Nakuru County Social Services and the Paravolley Club during a visit in May 2019. Together with the newly-formed Mau Based Community Based Organisation and the Nakuru Branch of the Kenya Red Cross Society, the tour will feature several demonstration matches in schools and community venues, therefore acting as an empowerment tool for disabled people in the area.

Sitting volleyball is similar to standing volleyball, in the sense that there are 6 players in each team and the aim of the game is to get the ball on the ground of your opponents’ side. However, in the sitting game players remain seated on the ground throughout the game. The net is just over 1m high, as opposed to just over 2m in the standing game. The court is divided into two sides of 5m deep by 6m wide, whereas in the standing game each side is a 9m square.

A spokesperson for BMCP Glyn Thomas, of Talybont-on-Usk says, “We are grateful to all the parties concerned in coming together to make this programme attractive and accessible. We are especially glad that Disability Sports Wales are able to donate nets and balls to the project.” He added, “We are working on some people travelling from Wales to Nakuru to help advise on outreach work and coaching. We will also be raising funds locally to help sustain the programme’s future.”