Testimony one By Hadijah M K -CEO PERRASUK
Experience turns out to be the best teacher hence the importance of sharing the skills acquired over a given period. As PERRASUK CEO, I take the opportunity to share my testimony. Over 10 years ago I participated in advocating for good governance and policy advocacy in Uganda and on the continent of Africa through working with NGOs to increase awareness. Advocating for inclusion for issues and concerns for Persons with Disabilities implied we had to look at existing government laws and policies from national to local levels.
We mobilised PWDS to start groups to enhance access to training and inclusive participation. More important we encouraged them to have governing documents in place, opening up bank accounts, managing funds, training in acquiring economic empowerment skills and understanding the decentralisation system in the country especially local government operation.
I am one of those of those women with disabilities that had an opportunity to represent PWDS in Lubaga Municipality, Kampala City of Uganda between 2002 and 2010. Through hard work, my skills and capabilities led to being appointed as the Secretary Production and marketing committee, quite challenging task that i managed to accomplish by working closely with fellow Councillors and the technical team. Later i was appointed to hold two offices as Deputy Mayor and secretary-Finance and administration. My mail role was to ensure that the budgets are prepared and I read it to council for approval. Am proud that i was part of the process that i led and successfully presented the budget and indeed it was approved for FY 2009/2020.
The testimony is about empowering people to deliver but also documenting experiences. I am in the process of conducting surveys, research and training. We plan to build capacities of the vulnerable poor in our communities especially in developing countries with Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. We are requesting for those willing to partner with us and donating funds towards the project to use our PayPal or other possible means convenient to well wishers and supporters.