BYAN's Knowledge Exchange Visit to Kenya: Building Global Partnerships for Disability Rights

A team from the Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) and CBM Global Nepal recently completed a meaningful exchange visit to Kenya from November 16-24, 2024. The team included BYAN's Project Coordinator Nilu Maharjan, President Ramchandra Gaihre, General Secretary Arjun Bahadur Rawal, and CBM Nepal's Program Officer Samjhana Shah. They worked closely with the Northern Nomadic Disabled Persons Organization (NONDO) and CBM Global Kenya to learn from their successful Action for Change project.

Cultural Exchange and Learning from Kenya's Systems

The visit began in Nairobi, where the team explored the Giraffe Centre and Kenya International Convention Center before engaging in productive discussions at NONDO's office. They visited key organizations like the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and CBM Global Kenya, where they discovered Kenya's effective approach to disability inclusion. The team was particularly impressed by Kenya's system, where all 47 counties have their own disability councils, along with the National Council's digital database of disability statistics, protection allowances, and their policy of reserving 30% of procurement opportunities for marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities.

Community Empowerment and Health Rights Initiatives

In Kajiado County, the team witnessed NONDO's impact through visits to local disability organizations—Loodokilani and Ewauso. These organizations help their members learn valuable skills like beekeeping, table banking, animal rearing, and making bead ornaments. With NONDO's financial support, these groups are becoming self-sustaining. The delegation then traveled to Mombasa to meet with the Dream Achievers Youth Organization (DAYO), which works on sexual and reproductive health rights. During this visit, BYAN's president participated in a radio program organized by DAYO, discussing how to improve health services for persons with disabilities.

Knowledge Exchange and Future Plans

BYAN shared their expertise by presenting their inclusive educational materials, including resources in Braille, large print, and easy-to-read formats. This presentation inspired the Kenyan teams to consider similar accessibility features in their programs. One standout initiative that caught BYAN's attention was NONDO's self-help groups for parents of persons with disabilities, where members learn income-generating skills while supporting each other—a model that BYAN hopes to adapt for Nepal.

The exchange visit, supported by CBM Global UK, has equipped BYAN with new ideas and approaches to disability inclusion. Their experience demonstrates how international collaboration can strengthen disability rights work worldwide, and both organizations are now better positioned to create more inclusive communities in their respective countries. The team returns to Nepal ready to adapt these valuable lessons to their local context, ensuring that the benefits of this exchange continue to grow.