Disabled Persons Sponsorship

Being disabled can be difficult even at the best of times and with the accommodations in society we have come to expect. For those in the developing world this difficulty, lack of help and the social stigma attached with being disabled can make life intolerable and void of opportunities. Many tens of thousands of disabled people are forced into poverty and destitution, dependent upon begging or family members.

A life dependent on others is incredibly frustrating for many disabled persons, not least as with a little help and support they have the opportunity to overcome many of the limitations placed upon them and in many cases can provide for themselves and their families.

The Muslim Hands Disabled Sponsorship Scheme costs just £35 per month and gives you the chance to provide a disabled person with these opportunities and enjoy an independent life of dignity.

Money from your sponsorship will be used to provide a single disabled person with:

Learning to walk with a recently fitted prosthetic leg.

• Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
  This will either be at one of Muslim Hands' clinics or at a qualified centre. Individuals are taught about living with a disability, provided with false limbs, walking aids or wheelchairs if appropriate, given physiotherapy and taught methods to regain mobility.

• Education and job skills training
  Many disabled people are able to work and have a strong desire to do so, yet a lack of facilities at educational establishments and false stereotypes often mean they are never given the chance. MH helps disabled persons learn skills appropriate to their disability and realise them with their own business or help finding employment.

• Business start-up and employment help
  Once skilled in areas such as handicrafts, financial grants can help an individual start his or her own small scale business. Alternatively, an individual can be given help to find suitable employment.

• Living and other costs
  As one would imagine, a disability often means higher living and other costs such as medical care. The sponsorship scheme contributes towards these costs, easing the financial burden on the already poor individual or their immediate family.

Small Business Grants in Bangladesh & Kashmir

MH Bangladesh and MH Kashmir run schemes providing financial grants to disabled men and women to start their own business, appropriate to their locality, or to turn their skills, often learnt at a rehabilitation centre, into viable cottage industries. As well as a lump sum in the form of a grant to get the business started, logistical and other assistance is given.

Sakil Ali who is blind, and Riaz Uddin who is crippled, are two individuals that have used MH grants to purchase tools and materials to set-up their own handicraft businesses. Abdus Sabur who is deaf and dumb, used his aid from Muslim Hands to manufacture and sell his own packaging cartons.

To date dozens of individuals, all from poor backgrounds, have passed through the scheme and are now well established and totally independent -- in many cases a dream come true.

Left to right: Two small business start-ups in Bangladesh and one in Kashmir

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