Parents of children with disabilities in Tajikistan were delighted to see their children participating in awareness activities together with 2,500 school students, 200 teachers and 600 people from local associations and authorities.
– Our children we never again feel alone!
This remark from a mother of a child with a disability came during a week-long commemoration of the UN’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3. Mission East marked the day together with partner organizations in Tajikistan’s Sugd and Khatlon regions.
“We are all equal”
Children with disabilities and their parents participated together with children from kindergartens, schools, public institutions, as well as mass media, local entrepreneurs, the regional puppet theater and other local initiatives in eight districts. More than 2,500 school pupils and around 200 teachers took part in information meetings under the heading “We are all equal”. Over 600 people also participated in various cultural programmes.
Children with disabilities participated on an equal footing with other children in kindergartens and schools, and together they drew, painted, danced and performed, among other things. puppet theatre. And it was here during the festivities that a mother of a child with disability exclaimed:
– We are very happy to be here, and so are our children. Our children will never feel alone again!
De is also leading a support group for parents with children who suffer from disabilities.
“Do what is needed”
The week-long awareness campaign was organized by Mission East’s partners ‘Ehyo va Dastgiri’, ‘Mehrgon’, ‘Zam-zam’, ‘Nuri Umed’ and the local district authorities of Panjakent, Bokhtar, Qubodiyon and Muminabad. Everyone had the goal in mind that people with disabilities are included and respected in society.
– Everyone can be affected by a disability, said Dilorom Ashurova, Mission East’s disability and inclusion program manager, adding:
– It is important that everyone understands the importance of inclusion in order to cultivate a humanistic inclusive culture. As the saying goes: ‘Start by doing what is necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly you do the impossible!’
“Everyone must have the same opportunities”
Randhir Singh, Mission East Country Director in Tajikistan, added:
– We must find innovative solutions to include people with disabilities in society and ensure that everyone has the same opportunities to participate in all aspects of life to the best of their abilities and wishes.
Each year, December 3 is marked as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1992 to promote understanding and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
The event in Tajikistan was supported by the EU’s Delegation in Tajikistan, and the programs of Mission East’s partner organizations ‘Zam-Zam’ and ‘Nuri Umed’ are financed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the strategic partnership agreement with Mission East.
