Simegnew is a 29-year-old youth with a severe physical disability. He lives in Motta City Administration, East Gojjam Zone of the Amhara Region. He completed his education up to Grade 10. According to his parents, Simegnew suddenly lost his ability to walk when he was just 18 months old, while asleep. In a desperate search for a cure, his mother took him to various churches to pray for healing. During that time, he could only move by dragging his body, initially on his chest, and later by crawling on his knees. He faced lots of physical barriers throughout his life.
A compassionate individual once attempted to help him enrol in school. However, a teacher refused, claiming he was too old to begin Grade 1. After a prolonged struggle and unwavering determination, he was finally admitted and went on to complete his education.
When ECDD began implementing the SKILLS Project in Motta, Simegnew learned about the project through the local Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD). He registered with the OPD and was selected by the City Administration’s Social Affairs Office to participate in a short-term training program. He then enrolled in a three-month vocational training at Motta Polytechnic College (PTC), focusing on urban agriculture and sheep rearing and fattening. Alongside this, he received disability rights and soft skills training (business and life skills), which boosted his motivation, enhanced his sense of independence, and empowered him to speak up and claim his rights from the government. ECDD also provided him with a wheelchair, significantly improving his mobility and making daily life more manageable. Because the relevant government personnel were trained in disability rights and inclusion, they were actively supportive with a changed mindset.
Having completed the training of youth with disabilities and government personnel, the project organized the youth with disabilities into a group in which Simegnew was involved as a member and facilitated discussions with the municipality and the Mayor’s office for them to secure workspace or shade. ECDD, together with the local OPDs, held discussions with the Motta City Administration and secured a workspace for him and his colleagues with disabilities. Simegnew, most importantly, appreciates the awareness created in the city on disability issues by the project, which helped persons with disabilities be better understood and included in their community as a result of the SKILLS project. He is also happy to be organized in a group with youth with different types of disabilities, with whom they support each other emotionally and socially, in addition to working for economic gain.
Simegnew with the sheep provided by the SKILLS to a Group in Motta
Given his economic benefit of the project, because he is the beneficiary of SKILLS, his daily income has grown. The income would have been more had it not been for the conflict in the Amhara Region. He states, “My mindset for business has been significantly changed, for I took entrepreneurship and life skills training”. Simegnew is inspired to become a role model for other persons with disabilities in Motta and the surrounding areas. Since ECDD began its work on disability inclusion in the community, local government offices have become increasingly aware of and responsive to the needs and rights of persons with disabilities. He received land from the government to build a home.
He says it is no exaggeration to describe ECDD and the donors as a mother and father to him and others in similar circumstances. On behalf of himself and all persons with disabilities in Motta, he extends his heartfelt gratitude to both organizations.