Amputee Self Help Network Uganda (ASNU) has really been getting out there and making themselves visible as disability advocates and as an organisation since the start of the year.

In March Charlotte, co-found and CEO of ASNU, delivered a weekend-long baking and crochet workshop for amputees ages 10 to 18. This was a relaxed, inclusive space where young people could share their experiences of being a young person with a disability.

This was an event Charlotte was especially passionate about hosting as these young people have not been accessing school during COVID therefore more susceptible to isolation and economic challenges. Charlotte’s co-facilitator Naome is a wheelchair user so brought a different but equally passionate perspective to the workshops.

The group discussed some important topics such as difficulties accessing travel, being stigmatized by teachers and peers at school, lack of inclusive sports in school, being underestimated, and the difficulties their families have had dealing with misconceptions around disability.

Ten young people attended, two of whom were not amputees but living with a different disability. We had hoped to deliver these workshops earlier in the year and for a longer period of time however, planning across time zones with limited resources meant that we needed to scale back.

Additionally, this was Charlotte’s first experience planning as well as delivering an intervention. It was a great learning experience.