By Rachel Kakraba
The story of migration is many a time told to be that awful journey which people must dread. From poverty-stricken individuals who sleep on the streets of countries without decent accommodation or work the thought of migrating could be terrifying. Though it might not be so rosy for many migrants, especially Africans there are some of them who have made it and contributing to the growth of their respective countries. One of them is CEO of Kis Travel, Kwamena Aduonin, having migrated to the US six years ago, from Ghana. He is today contributing meaningfully to the Ghanaian society, by assisting Persons Living with disability, have funtime at tourist sites, dubbed the annual “challenged Xpedition”.
“Having had to resign from a fairly good job, I must say was a difficult decision to make. I remember reflecting on all the things that could go wrong, but I must say I haven’t regretted that descion. Today, aside the monthly remittances I assist my family with, I am also able to help the larger society through the annual challenged Xpedition”
The World Health Organisation report on disability, indicate there are more than one billion people in the world who live with some form of disability. Many people with disabilities do not have equal access to health care, education, and employment opportunities. They experience exclusion from everyday life. Consequently the annual “challenged Xpedition” is giving hope to persons living with disability who hitherto had no hope of visiting tourist sites in the country.
Mr. Aduonin, speaking to GBCGHANAONLINE said he was inspired to start the annual “challenged Xpedition” knowing the exclusion Persons Living with Disability face back in his home country Ghana.
He said it is an advocacy platform to facilitate attitudinal change and leverages on inclusion and acceptance for persons with disability.
He added “I’m looking forward to having more partnership to open this annual challenged Xpedition up to include more Persons Living with disability”
For some of the persons living with disability who have been beneficiaries of the programme, it is mostly Ghanaians who live outside the country who usually come to their aid.
Samuel for instance recalled, in 2008, together with some other persons living with disability, they were given training in artisanship, by a group of Ghanaians “GH. Connect” based in Australia. He appealed to government to support such social enterprises that promote their wellbeing.
Beatrice is a master Hairdresser who equally benefited from the benevolence of GH Connect, she said she was supported to learn the trade at a time that she had lost hope in life. She said although she was promised re-training on the job, which has not materialised yet she is grateful for the initial training which has made her life much comfortable.
A beneficiary, of the challenged Xpedittion Francis stated, “Such a trip takes away stress and depression living with disability exposes one to. This is a rare opportunity for disabled persons and I commend organisers for that”.
Undoubtedly but for these positive outcomes of migration persons living with disability would have continued to live in misery. Often neglected, rejected and isolated because of their disability” the annual challenged Xpedition seeks to achieve goal 10 of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs which is aimed at eliminating all forms of inequalities.
