A Mutare-based disability empowerment initiative is appealing for support to train at least 100 people with disabilities in practical digital skills.
Rise Beyond Disability Zimbabwe wants to launch a Digital Skills Empowerment Programme that would help participants take part more fully in the digital economy. It is seeking about US$10,000 to get the programme started.
Founder Lee Chitsinde, who is also active in disability advocacy and empowerment work, said disability should not stand in the way of accessing technology, learning new skills, creating content or pursuing economic opportunities.
“I believe people with disabilities should not only be seen for their limitations. We have abilities, creativity and potential. With access to technology and the right training, we can demonstrate what we are capable of achieving,” he said.
Chitsinde holds an Intermediate Digital Skills certificate from the Catholic University of Zimbabwe. He said the training deepened his understanding of digital literacy and motivated him to create similar opportunities for others living with disabilities.
The proposed programme will cover computer and smartphone literacy, graphic design, digital content creation, social media management, and online entrepreneurship and freelancing.
The US$10,000 would go towards equipment, internet access, training materials, accessibility support and delivery of the programme.
Chitsinde said donations of laptops and other digital devices would also make a significant contribution.
“Technology can open doors. Our goal is to give people with disabilities the opportunity to learn, create and show that they can contribute meaningfully to their communities and the economy,” he said.
The initiative is open to partnerships with organisations, companies, foundations, international donors, technology firms and individual philanthropists interested in disability inclusion, digital education and economic empowerment.
Rise Beyond Disability Zimbabwe is still completing its organisational registration and is developing its implementation plan and partnerships.
Chitsinde hopes the project will grow into a sustainable model of digital inclusion that can eventually reach people with disabilities beyond Mutare.
Contact:
Lee Chitsinde
Rise Beyond Disability Zimbabwe
Mutare, Zimbabwe
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +263 7796 17139
About Rise Beyond Disability Zimbabwe: Rise Beyond Disability Zimbabwe is a disability empowerment initiative based in Mutare that promotes digital skills, creativity, inclusion and economic opportunities for people with disabilities.
