The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed annually on December 3rd. The theme for this year is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.” This theme recognizes the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also emphasizes the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
The theme this year reflects the current international political and policy context and the need to create momentum for achieving the 2030 Agenda. The theme seeks to amplify the centrality of the leadership role of persons with disabilities, in all of these efforts – from the global to the local.
“GARDEN IN A SACK” – CAREGIVERS’ EMPOWERMENT
In 20024, Watoto Ciao has embarked in the caregivers’ livelihood empowerment through the “garden in a sack” program and boosting of successful entrepreneurship. Improving CWDs food security and nutrition goes along with caregivers’ empowerment by supporting a targeted intervention to enhance their agricultural skills and equipment by:-
Training n. 80 children with disabilities’ (CWDs)caregivers on urban agriculture to improving agricultural techniques, that’s planting vegetable seedlings on top of and around the sides of earth-filled sacks, which are placed on doorsteps. The strategy is based on two major targets: 1. To increase access to food and improved eating habits using the garden in a sack concept. 2. To increase the income available for household use through the sale of vegetables from the ‘garden in a sack.
The 80 participants were subdivided in 4 groups of 20 caregivers to attend one workshop each. Trainings were designed on groups’ activities to understand how to cultivate vegetables in a sack, integrating foods and their nutrients and the fundamental role of physical and mental health care. Afterwords, agricultural kits containing fertilizers, seeds and materials necessary for agricultural activity were provided to 30 CWDs’ caregivers selected among the trainees based on vulnerability and capacity. The project in ongoing.