NGOs Carry Flame of Hope to Rural Africa

Tom Miller, CEO of Plan International (left), and Ayman Wahab , Managing Director of Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa, sign an agreement under which Plan and Special Olympics will work to bring sport, education, and health opportunities to thousands more children and young adults with intellectual disabilities in some of the most remote parts of Africa.

John Dow, Managing Director for Special Olympics
Africa, added, “Partnering with reputable organizations like Plan International enhances our opportunity to bring even greater services to our current and future athletes and their families throughout the region."
Plan CEO Miller said, “Life is hard for millions of children and young adults throughout Africa , but particularly so for those with disabilities. This partnership provides a real opportunity to provide health, education and inspiration to the tens of thousands who are currently being excluded.”
The strength, importance and potential of the partnership can be summed up in the story of Florence Nabayinda of Uganda, who through Special Olympics has been able to grow to become a leader for the movement. Through sports, Nabayinda was given the opportunity to grow as an individual and become accepted in her community. Not only has she represented Uganda on the global level at Special Olympics World Games, but she also is now a member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors, a global spokesperson for the movement and a staff employee for Special Olympics Africa. As Nabayinda says, “I felt I could do nothing in life - ridiculed as 'stupid,' forced to quit school - but when I ran I was somebody, and through running and Special Olympics I found my voice.”
Recent studies reveal that children in rural areas are missing out on improvements enjoyed by their urban peers. The study, which is based on the views of 1,000 children in 30 countries, found children were particularly concerned by the lack of opportunities for disabled children.

A groundbreaking new partnership signed on 31 October 2007 will give marginalized groups throughout Africa a greater sporting chance of success in life. Plan International and Special Olympics, two leading international NGOs, are partnering to bring sport, education, and health opportunities to thousands more children and young adults with intellectual disabilities in some of the most remote parts of Africa . The agreement will mean that Plan will help to establish Special Olympics Programs beyond their mainly urban centers and deep into the continent's rural communities.

The partnership was signed in Cairo , Egypt , by Ayman Wahab , Managing Director for Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa, on behalf of the entire Special Olympics global movement. The signing was attended by Tom Miller, CEO of Plan, Mike Smith, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, Deepali Khanna, Plan's Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, more than 20 representatives from both organizations across Africa , and athletes from Special Olympics.

The partnership brings together health education and the inspiration of the Special Olympics dream with Plan's long-established experience in targeting marginalized groups and working with children and communities in rural Africa to promote long-term development. The cooperation will initially be piloted in Egypt , Rwanda , Tanzania and Uganda , before being extended to other countries in Africa and beyond.

“Our aim is to provide the Special Olympics experience, including the health and education benefits, to as many as possible” said Smith. “This is an exciting time for us at Special Olympics, as we seek out like-minded strategic partners to build acceptance and strengthen the promotion of rights and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the region and the world.”