Ability to accomplish their dreams
By JUNITA SOL GOMA
SOMETIMES, when we see a disabled person trying to cross the road or do something we think that the person’s disabilities might make it impossible.
Our first reaction is usually one of three; resentment, embarrassment, sympathy or sometimes, all three.
Not many of us stop to think that these people need a fair chance at life, and this means, trying to do a lot of things that able people can do.
At Callan Services, the mindset is totally different; they believe that disabilities in people have to be seen and understood in a positive manner.
Towards the end of 1998, the Bishop of Daru\Kuinga Diocese gave the approval to establish a new service in Kuinga-and that was the birth of Callan Services there.
It became one of 13 centers in the country specializing in the care and training for persons with disabilities.
The new year saw the work of awareness and rehabilitation services while intensive training for staff members commenced.
Doris Amboman works as a promoter of inclusive education; she is the head teacher and is responsible for training other teachers on how to teach pupils with disabilities as well as offering basic reading and writing skills, braille and sign language to children and adults.
“At Callan, we try to help these people feel that life is worth living, that God did not create them for nothing and that they have to look past their disabilities and see themselves as whole people, just like anyone else,” Doris said.
She said it’s very hard to convince a disabled person that there is life and much more outside his or her own world.
“It takes time, tears, prayers and a heart to get these people out of their depression and confinement. But once they learn the skills they can use to enable them to be productive, a process that tests their will and determination to survive in this world and perhaps the most painful experience for many of them, because, that is where they face their disabilities and realize their weakness and strengths, they become more confident in themselves and their abilities.”
At first, people didn’t have the skills to deal positively with persons with disabilities nor did they understand the real causes and how to prevent them from happening or worsening.
However, this perception slowly ebbed out in the face of frequent awareness campaigns.
There is less shame, prejudice and negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities and the programs set up by Callan Services to enhance disability rehabilitation and training are widely accepted by nearby communities.
Callan runs different programs for all age groups; there are teachers’ in-service sessions that train existing teachers on how to identify students with impairments and disabilities. They are trained in basic sign language and braille.
A school is set up for students with disabilities and with an adult literacy program.
There is also a special program for young adults with disabilities who are put into groups and do small sustainable projects for their groups. Some of these projects include running a small library, sewing, handcrafts and letter typing.
These activities enable them to sell their work and make money for their group. The following is the success story of two people who have been given a fair chance at life by Callan.
Marilyn Elia is a 25 year old woman with an impairment but she didn’t let this impairment (a hump on her back) stop her from completing grade 10 and becoming a tutor with Callan services.
“I used to be painfully shy whenever, I was in public, but Callan taught me to believe in myself and thank the Lord for what he gave me,” she said.
Marilyn is now the head librarian at the center, and manages other disabled people who work and help her run it. Callan pays them a monthly salary and they sell their own products of handcrafts, needlework, screen printing and designing to earn extra.
Apenai Kipinok is 28 and is a fisherman. He crawls on his hands and knees and has never gone to school and refuses all attempts to sit on a wheelchair.
He likes to draw and through the training and help from Callan services, some of his art works have been put on stencils for screen printing. He, along with four other disabled men were engaged by the catholic church-Kuinga to draw designs and paint their new cathedral last year. “That was my first time to be employed and to receive a lot of money for my work. I am happy with Callan because each month I receive an allowance from the adult’s project,” he said.
Apenai now has enough money to buy new clothes for himself and spend at big events like Easter and Christmas for his little family.
“I am grateful to Callan because people don’t see my disabilities nowadays but recognize my abilities,” he said.
Apenai has learned to accept his disabilities and is coping very well, he got married last year and has a beautiful daughter.
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