Abdul’s Grandma carried 6-year-old Abdul on her back since he was little. The boy with Troyer's syndrome couldn't walk. Grandma had already thought of taking Abdul out of school, because she had to spend so much time caring for and carrying Abdul. Grandma felt hopeless, which is why Abdul was also depressed.

– I felt very shy because my grandmother carried me and the kids laughed at me, Abdul says.

With support from Fida’s country program, Abdul’s grandmother got help in arranging her home better and making a care plan for Abdul. Abdul was given physiotherapy. The boy’s muscle strength began to develop and standing on his own improved. Abdul also received a walking aid. With the help of the walking aid, he can now go to school with his brother. Now Grandma has enough time to earn a living for the family.

Fida and the Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania (FPCT) have been workings with disabled people in Tanga County for 17 years. The long-term cooperation has borne fruit: attitudes towards people with disabilities have begun to change and many disabled children now attend school.

As a result of the advocacy work, the Tanzanian Government has built up accessible infrastructure in 10 primary schools in the region. The purpose of access has been to improve school attendance of children with disabilities.

• The YDCP Action Centre, which supports children and young people with disabilities, organises physiotherapy, training, and assistive devices.
• In 2021, 3,373 disabled persons received support in Tanzania.
• A total of 12 284 people with disabilities received support throughout eastern Africa.