UMOJA PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES GROUP is a non-profit organization, registered TR/INC N° 6686 and working under the law of Malawi and aiming to raise up the rights of persons living with disabilities in particular and all vulnerable in general within Dzaleka refugee camp and host communities, its missions and goals are to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, vulnerable and other in need in the community (1), to obtain justice through equalization of opportunities for all people with disabilities through the development and support of their associations (2), to fight against poverty among the persons with disabilities (3), to promote and advocate for the Rights of persons with disabilities and raise awareness among the rural masses in the communities on these rights (4) etc. Who We Are UMOJA PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES GROUP is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that assists the mobility challenged individuals to build better lives through social integration, skill development, and useful representation in all aspects of life. UPDG has been founded by individuals that have faced the real challenges of having a disability, and who have been touched by the success of other disabled in their professional and social life. In an effort to replicate that success in the rest of the community, the idea of establishing a unique organization with a certain perspective has sprung. Where we work The organization operates in Dzaleka refugee camp and its surrounding villages in Dowa District as a membership based organization. Based in Dowa District, UPDG will have chapters in all over the regions of Malawi. Missions Our missions are: to help persons with disabilities enhance capacity and to improve the environment for their development by providing aid services, support, protection, and carrying out social advocacy for their benefit. Vision of the Association. Our vision is to create a world where the human rights and Rights of persons with disabilities are respected and their lives are much comfortable as possible. “Disability is certainly not inability.” | Values & Principles We uphold the following principles and values, and consider them the core of our existence:  Advocacy  Equality  Inclusion  Non-discrimination  Sustainability  Transparency  Accountability  Integrity Goals, aims and purposes  To raise the morale and confidence of the people with disabilities  To promote the equality of the people with the disabilities to those without the disabilities and eliminate the disability stigma  To create awareness relevant to the social issues and rights of the people with disabilities  To research and keep statistics on the issues of the people with disabilities  To create employment opportunities by lobbying the private and public sectors  To create a culture of volunteerism to cultivate support for the people with disabilities  Is to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, vulnerable and other in need in the community.  Is to obtain justice through equalization of opportunities for all people with disabilities through the development and support of their associations.  Guiding principles for UPDG are set forth in the preamble of this constitution as well as the World Program of Action Concerning Disabled Persons adopted by the United Nations  To fight against poverty among the persons with disabilities.  To promote the Rights of persons with disabilities and raise awareness among the rural masses in the country on these rights.  Establishing a network and offer consultation services to upcoming.  Being a voice of orphans, single-mothers, girls, women, youth, elders and different unhealthy persons in the community.  Being the central planning body that will allow people to engage different groups within their community.  Initiating programs and projects of those which are of benefit to people and community. How We Work UMJA PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES GROUP focuses on the following areas to achieve its vision of disability equality and social assimilation:  Advocacy relevant to handicap empowerment including:  Awareness campaigns targeted at the people with disabilities to raise their morale and confidence  Social integration campaigns addressed at the general public to educate them about disabilities and eliminate the handicap stigma “Disability is certainly not inability.” |  Campaigns targeting the employment organizations and companies to remind them about the rights of the people with disabilities to get employed  Encouraging the building-owners, banks, companies and public service agencies to consider accessibility for the people with disabilities as a priority  Provision of special accommodation for the people with disabilities in their place of employment  Implementation of projects that build the capacities of the people with disabilities:  Education and establishment of physically challenged individuals and people with disabilities  Facilitation of equipment to enhance the mobility of the people with disabilities  Provision of assistance and help for the people with disabilities  Creation of employment opportunities for the people with disabilities  Research and publications on disability issues