By NICHOLAS ANYUOR
Antony Riako recalls the humiliating experience two years ago when his shopping expedition was misinterpreted as a begging mission — and handed Sh2 in alms.
"This was a very sad day for me," recalls the Kisumu cobbler. "I realised how disabled people are despised."
Riako did not go home and lament; he mobilised beggars in the streets and proposed how they could change their lives, and in the process, change the way they are perceived by others.
This was the birth of the Umoja Disabled Persons Group in Kisumu that has reversed the fortunes of street beggars, who now run thriving businesses.
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The organisation, whose agenda is to rehabilitate disabled persons who beg in Kisumu, intends to inculcate self-reliance on all its members.
One of the beneficiaries is Sarah Achieng, 41, who moved to the streets two years ago after the death of her husband.
"I used to beg along Oginga Odinga Street. Today, the people who used to give me donations now buy commodities from me. I happy with the turnaround," she says. Achieng says the Umoja Disabled Persons Group members approached her while begging in the streets and advised her to save whatever she was getting with them to secure a business loan.
SUBSTANTIAL FUND
Taking charge: Sarah Achieng displays her wares. Instead of receiving alms from her benefactors, she now receives business from them, earning decent profits that keep her going. She was on the streets begging for two years before her rehabilitation. [PHOTO: james keyI/STANDARD] |
Achieng is among many disabled persons who have been rehabilitated by the group, which operates under the umbrella Kisumu Informal Traders Economic Support (Kites) community-based organisation.
Riako, who is the chairperson of the Umoja group, says since its formation two years ago, membership has grown to 200.
Members started contributing Sh10 per day, which with time rose to a substantial fund for loans.
Riako says group members counsel the disabled persons to stop begging and start serious business activities.
"We arrange with Tuungane Youth Group for counselling courses so that we can guide and counsel those we want to move from the streets," he explained.
Riako adds: "What group members tell them is, ‘ask for money for sometime, but save with the group in order to get loans to start businesses and eventually stop begging.’"
Subsequently, those rescued are taken to Kites and given small loans to start business.
Kites chairman Antony Kwache, a hawker, says the disabled persons are required to save up to Sh200 to qualify for a loan of Shs 5,000, payable in six months, with a grace period of one month.
"This is what we gave to Sarah (Achieng). She is now doing business and earning good money daily. She quit begging and others now beg from her," Kwache says.
VIABLE OPTIONS
So far, Kites has already identified 56 disabled people in the region who are to qualify for loans.
Kites also counsel its members on viable business options, and follow up to monitor how their businesses are faring.
"We have written proposals to some organisations for funds so that we can advance loans to more members, Kites Urban Alliance Coordinator Nelson Okumu says. Mostly, ex-beggars start small-scale businesses such as vegetable vending, selling second-hand clothes, beauty salons or hawking confectionaries, among others.
Officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development, Kisumu East District, occasionally visit disabled persons to monitor progress.
At the regular meetings, the ministry officials guide them on what to do to help them achieve better results.
"Disability is not inability. The disabled should not be seen as those cursed in the society. This is why we always guide them on how they can rehabilitate others from begging. This is wonderful and they need more funds," says Sharon Oside, an official from Gender ministry.
