Kuthandiza Osayenda Disability Outreach (KODO)

KODO was established and is run by an inspiring individual, George Chimpiko, who himself has physical disabilities. A small community based organisation in Salima district, set up to assist and deliver vocational training to adults with disabilities, KODO proved themselves an ideal partner able to deliver projects in line with GCT’s aims in Malawi.

GCT have been working in partnership with KODO since 2010, receiving funding from the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund (2008-2011).

A KODO graduate trainee is given a sewing machine to start up her business

With our support, KODO were able to build a workshop space enabling them to expand their training capacity to train 30 disabled men and women per year in tailoring, knitting, basket-weaving / cane chair-making / curio-making. Trainees receive three phases of training:

• Business and financial management training;
• HIV and AIDS awareness, reproductive health and family planning training;
• Practical training in tailoring, knitting, basket-weaving /cane chair-making and curio-making – this includes start-up tools following the training

Trainees are equipped with the requisite skills and resources to independently achieve a sustainable income. Prior to the training, the trainees were without skills to earn an income, having dropped out of school at an early age, or never having received any formal education. Difficulties with mobility combined with a lack of training opportunities in rural areas left these individuals with no means of improving their economic situation. Many would beg for money.

Following vocational training, they are now able to make an income from selling their products locally. Tailoring and knitting of items such as adult clothing, school uniforms for children and baby items are sold within the district to local people. Cane chairs and baskets are also sold locally; baskets are used to transport fish between districts. Curios and baskets provide a supplementary income and are sold to tourists (Salima, as a Lakeshore district, is a tourist destination).

KODO also provide human rights training, focusing on teaching disabled people about their rights within their own communities. This includes: right to education, access to medication and mobility services, right to access information (e.g. in sign language/Braille) and rights to access government-assisted employment, business, and farming initiatives.

The new training building at KODO