REPSSI brings disability champions in shared joint learning visits

BY STEVE EPHRAEM

A local Non-Governmental Organisation is bringing together disability champions from two districts in Manicaland to share ideas and learn from one another’s experiences.

The Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative, popularly known as REPSSI, is currently hosting a two-day joint learning visit for disability champions from Chipinge and Chimanimani districts. The event, which began on Wednesday (Feb 25), will conclude on Thursday (Feb 26) in Chipinge.

The gathering is part of the organisation’s EQuaLISED Project, which succeeded the Inclusive Communities Project in 2024. The project is active in several wards across both districts, including wards 10, 15, 17 and 23 in Chimanimani, and wards 27, 26, 29 and 30 in Chipinge. The main objective of the project is to improve rights and participation of people with disabilities, with a primary focus on mental health and psycho-social disabilities.

Speaking at the opening of the event, the Project Coordinator for Chimanimani and Chipinge explained that the exchange visit aims to help disability champions learn from successful initiatives in other areas and document good practices that can be replicated in their own communities. She also explained that the visit aims at unpacking challenges faced by disability champions in their operating areas and explore possible strategies to curb the challenges.

“The EQuaLISED Project was a successor project that took over from the Inclusive Communities Project in 2024. It has empowered communities to be inclusive of persons with disabilities and helped them to engage in income generation projects,” she said.

The coordinator emphasised the importance of sustainability once external support concludes.

“We are expecting that after donor support ends, the community projects shall be sustainable and continue to exist and flourish. It is at this juncture that the learning visit is important, so that disability champions can learn from others where their projects need improvement and how to make them viable in the future,” she added.

The visit has drawn 22 disability champions from both districts. Officials from government ministries, including the Department of Social Development and Women Affairs, are also in attendance to support the initiative.

EQuaLISED Project is funded by CBM Global through Irish Aid.