A GROUP of young people with disabilities in Lusaka’s John Laing compound is challenging perceptions through filmmaking.
The YORELU Cooperative Society has chosen to tell their own story, highlighting the struggles and experiences of living with disabilities in Zambia.
They believe their film will shed light on often-overlooked issues faced by the differently-abled community.
“The Cooperative seeks to shed more light on the often overlooked issues confronting the differently abled community in Zambia,” said YORELU chairman Davis Makonde.
The group is not limited to filmmaking. YORELU is also involved in income-generating activities such as poultry farming.
However, they are seeking government support to further empower their organization.
The Zambian government has pledged its assistance.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media, Thabo Kawana, emphasised the importance of inclusion and participation for people with disabilities.
“The differently abled people are writers, inventors, entrepreneurs, and just everyday people who work and pay taxes which contribute to the common good of our country,” Kawana said.
He condemned discrimination and called for more support for initiatives like YORELU’s, which create platforms for the differently-abled to participate in the socio-economic sphere.
“We shall not discriminate against any Zambian in the participation of socio-economic stratosphere based on physical ability,” Kawana declared.
“Disability is not inability,” he added, echoing YORELU’s call for inclusion and participation.
By Elesani Phiri
Kalemba April 30, 2024
