Overordnede mål
The present initiative is seen as an important step to begin a joint strategic focus in the partnership, in order to not only secure strategic service delivery with a technical focus but to initiate a more holistic approach for the future. The initiative is to lay the ground for a long-term and more strategic formulation of the vision and mission for OTC, and to identify how best to fulfil its potential as Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) advocate in Kenema.
Umiddelbare mål
The project’s overall objective is to equip the OTC with a strategic platform (vision, mission, strategic areas of intervention and possible alliances) in order to fulfil its ambition of securing youth with disability in Kenema a sustainable livelihood. To reach the overall objective, the project has two development objectives: 1) OTC strengthened at organisational and strategic levels in order to advocate and work for the rights of youth living with disability 2) OTC and EWB-DK strengthened in their analysis and understanding of how to jointly work and advocate for decent livelihoods for young disabled persons in Kenema and inclusion into society, based on the opportunities and training the OTC provides.
Målgrupper
The main target group includes the board, management, volunteer staff and current students at the OTC (approximate 80 persons). The secondary target group consists of other local stakeholders, including former students (approx. 15 persons), local authorities with relevance for PWDs’ issues (10 persons), the NCPD (2 persons), local chiefs and headmasters (10 persons) and representative of families with youth living with disability (approx. 20). Additionally, it includes the EWB-DK project group, board and management, who will increase their knowledge and capacity to work within this context/with this target group.
Resume
In prioritising its effort to assist the most vulnerable groups in Sierra Leone and the Kenema district, in 2016 EWB-DK initiated dialogue with the Opportunity Training Centre (OTC), a vocational training school for disabled youth, in order to foster a potential partnership. EWB-DK and OTC have been building a partnership since then, and have already completed smaller initiatives together, including the shipment of a container with donated training and hospital equipment from Denmark to Kenema. The dialogue between EWB-DK and OTC management have uncovered a strong need both for strategic and organisational development, coupled with targeted technical interventions (training and hardware). The OTC aims to be a strong actor in the advocacy and work for the rights of youth living with disability and has a goal to enrol more students. In order to fully achieve the unreleased potential for the OTC to become a regional voice for disabled youth and in time advocate for better inclusion in terms of livelihoods, many targeted lines of action have to be implemented. The activities in this application are part of a larger, long-term vision for the cooperation between EWB-DK and the OTC, where this initiative can be seen as a partnership effort, strengthening the OTC’s organisational foundation, while simultaneously strengthening the partnership further for the implementation of planned activities in the near future. Specifically expected outputs for this initiative include increased administrative capacity and the formulation, production and approval of a strategy document for the OTC. Additionally, the initiative will result in increased and improved knowledge on the specific context for all project partners, and increased awareness among strategic stakeholders of the right to a dignified life for persons with disabilities (advocacy towards families, community leaders, school authorities and district level authorities) and increased awareness of the OTC as a possible strategic future partner.