Stepping Beyond Comfort Zones to Create Impact
Before becoming part of YPMP, Kasakya Yusuf found himself in the shadows, constrained by limited professional ethics and skills, and troubled by procrastination in planning. The motivation to join the program stemmed from its cost-free and primarily virtual format, seamlessly fitting into his daily work routine. The allure of mentorship across various professional fields, combined with a burning desire to transform personal and community lives through volunteerism, especially in advocating for the rights of children with disabilities, became a compelling force. Yusuf’s passion for promoting the rights to education for children with disabilities in low-income communities fueled this desire. He emphasized, saying, “I needed the mentorship to help me foster disability inclusion.”
YPMP served as an anchor in the dual realms of mentorship and volunteerism. One notable volunteer assignment under the program involved a task related to Media and Information Literacy. In the initial session, Ms. Agnes Igoye, the esteemed Chief Mentor, assigned mentees to engage in community outreach and volunteer work. Reflecting on his personal passion, Yusuf chose to concentrate on supporting children with disabilities in rural underserved communities, specifically enabling them to access education for national development. This led to his placement in Kayunga district, where he utilized the community radio to raise awareness about special needs and inclusive education. Through this, he encouraged parents to enroll their children with disabilities in school, emphasizing that these children could learn just as effectively as their peers. Following the radio campaign, he also collaborated with the local community leader to visit homes with children with disabilities, engaging in one-on-one conversations with parents.
Before all these activities, Yusuf had already applied for the YALI RLC EA PROGRAM. Coincidentally, during the same week, he received an email notification of being shortlisted for interviews. He shared his experience, stating, “During the interview process, I discussed the community project/volunteer work as a pivotal point of my achievements. I articulated the efforts made in reaching out to children with disabilities through the community radio and engaging with the community leaders, which facilitated a smooth interview experience.” The conversation extended to addressing challenges and proposing potential solutions, further showcasing Yusuf’s readiness for leadership roles. Reflecting on the journey, he attributes his newfound open-mindedness and appreciation for volunteering to the transformative impact of YPMP.
Capitalizing on the mentorship and networking opportunities offered by the program, he also organized a session on Education for Learners with Disabilities, featuring Annemaaike Kruisselbrink, co-founder, and country director at Backup Uganda. This has further expanded his network of meaningful connections in advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities.
