Thanks to ongoing training, SHA’s young beneficiaries have participated in several international workshops as self-advocates in Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia) and a conference in India. Many young people with disabilities from the NGO have also found employment following individualized employability training. Additionally, several young para-athletes have competed in various international sports events, including the Paralympic Games in China, England, Ireland, the Seychelles, and Germany.
This year, the association is focused on an ambitious project: an Inclusi-Café managed by young people with disabilities. The project is well-conceived and inspired by an existing model in Malaysia, operated by an Inclusion International member NGO, United Voice, which SHA discovered through the Inclusion network. The initiative aims to advance the ongoing employability program within the organization and work on a strategy for including people with disabilities. The young participants will be trained to run the café with close oversight from the NGO. SHA is currently looking for a location and funding to launch the project.
Also on SHA’s agenda is an expansion of the Surinam building to accommodate more students, as many are currently on a waiting list. The plan includes expanding training and educational programs and providing recreational services for young adults over 20 with severe disabilities. “These individuals are not financially supported by public educational institutions due to their age and cannot integrate into the educational curriculum due to the severity of their disabilities,” notes Rashveen Bondy, SHA Coordinator and head of the Plaine Magnien branch. They are fully dependent on their parents, who are often exhausted and sometimes elderly. SHA aims to offer a daytime service to provide respite for these parents.
SHA is seeking funding for both of these projects. To get in touch with them:
- shasso@ymail.com
- shasso1985@gmail.com