Moshi Disabled Network

Alumni References: Kate Greaves: eatmorestrawberries@hotmail.com
Diana Kirby: a@kirbya.fsnet.co.uk
Rebecca Di Sunno: rdisunno@optonline.net

Description: The Moshi Disabled Network (MDN-Pride) is a Kilimanjaro region NGO, owned and operated by local workers with disabilities and their advocates. The group runs a rehabilitation aids and small crafts workshop located within the municipal region of Moshi.

The primary aim of “MDN-Pride” is for the workers with disabilities and their families to learn to help themselves become more independent with activities of daily living. As well, the group educates family members and community members about the challenges faced by those living with physical challenges, to alleviate the stigma associated with having disabilities. The Hesperian Foundation lay health manuals serve as a guide for its members while they learn how to help themselves and their community (1).

The group meets in a temporary place on the property of an engineering shop. The group is currently trying to find a more permanent location, as the space has been donated to the group for just a year.

Background: Proposed and implemented in 2004-2005 by Dayna Lorraine Wolfe,M.D., an American specialist in Cross Cultural Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr Wolfe was selected to be a University of Minnesota Center for Human Rights Fellow for 2004. The fellowship project proposal goal was to facilitate community integration and development via improved mobility for women with disabilities.

There is a stigma in Tanzanian culture about people with disabilities, and many families hide children who may be physically disabled. The group provides outreach and services to about 20 disabled people in their homes in Rau Village. In light of these cultural attitudes, as well as the fact that there are no other organizations providing this type of support, it is likely to infer that there are more people in the Moshi area in need of these services.

The group has no professional teaching support, so teaching of skills will be provided by the disabled group members. However, there are 2 non-disabled volunteers who work 5 mornings a week, and one disabled member who works with them.

Business philosophy: Sustainable self-help and community integration for people with disabilities. This business welcomes assistance and friendship from any volunteer wishing to align with the workers in achieving its mission, but it is not dependent upon their presence for successful operations. The hope is that by empowering people with physical challenges, they will improve their social-economic condition as well as providing an example to other disabled people in the area. Meetings are held with the elders of the village, and the group holds talks in schools and health centers.

The members of the group make products such as rain sticks, paintings, arm cycles, clothes, embroidery, handbags, woodwork, mats, and shoes. The proceeds of the sales contribute to the purchase of sugar, rice and clothing to bring to the villages when the group does home visits. The group welcomes volunteers who can look for new markets for them to sell these products, and think of new products that can be made with local materials such as banana skins, beans and wood.


Management Roles and Responsibilities:

There are currently 3 people in the group with management roles. These are:

Nicksibo Kiputa – Marketing Manager
Grace Japhet Makanyaga – Supervisor and bookkeeper
Kawawa Salim – Carpenter and Resource Manager

Nicksibo is responsible for marketing and sales of the items. In addition, he makes recommendations on the price of each item based upon the time and materials used to make the item. He is a talented painter and he also promotes the organization in the Moshi area.

Mama Grace is responsible for making sure that the workers are aware of the objectives of the project and of what is expected of them in the group. She keeps records on the attendance and accounts for the group, and also informs the group members of health and safety issues for their work.

Kawawa is responsible for providing the correct materials to make the handicrafts. He is a carpenter and a welder by trade, and he was not born disabled, rather he became disabled later in life. He has many skills and is willing to share them with others.

Membership qualifications:
• Tanzanian residents with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities
• Non-disabled advocates who demonstrate a significant commitment towards serving the above population, and bring a skill which is needed to advance the aims of the business
• Local business operators who donate their time or materials to the business

Volunteers needed to assist with immediate development in the following areas:
• Computer training (word processing, graphics, data entry, accounting, internet use)
• Leadership training
• Material management (elementary properties, handling and care of materials used by workers)
• Training of lay health workers to provide home health services to local citizens with disabilities
• Continue building community grass roots liaison/mentor program with TATCOT (Tanzanian Training Center for Orthopedic Technologists)
• Micro business management, sustainability, and ethics
• Bring new ideas for crafting of locally marketable and sustainable products
• Physiotherapists can help those with physical challenges to do exercises and stretches