We are changemakers by adressing an issue that doesn't get enough attention yet, especially not in the developing countries. We want to raise awareness on disability issues in communities but also on governmental level by implementing sport projects for people with disabilities. At the end, the absolute goal is to fully include people with disabilities in society and improve their quality of life.
A part of Lesotho, high in the mountains without tourists, but only very kind people traveling hours by food, donkey or horse to reach the nearest town.
We are passionated in promoting the rights of people with disabilities and giving them equal chances in life.
Since early childhood, we (Steffi de Jong and Pierre Bataille: APAID founders) have been passionate about sporting activities. Life brought us many experiences with persons with disabilities that showed us the positive effects of sports on their mental and physical well being. We both decided to dedicate our future to this area. Because of that, we met each other during the international Erasmus Mundus Master on Adapted Physical Activity. Having experienced disability in Europe, we discovered another "world" while studying in South Africa. Seeing persons with disabilities in the townships who were left without assistance and locked up in their houses, made us realizing that our knowledge could contribute to a better life for these people who live in places where they do not have the right of dignity. While staying near Cape Town, we met a responsible from MYSA Kenya which is a sport and development organization focusing on children from the slums of Nairobi. This well known organization wanted to start a project for persons with disabilities, but needed help to realize that. That was the opportunity we took and with a high motivation we started this challenge. That is where APAID started...
