“Agrilab has made me think beyond the project and about my life and my own development” - Reflections from phase II of the AgriLab in Mozambique
The AgriLab process was certainly an incredible and challenging experience for all the participants. It was also a process of breaking down stereotypes that might somehow reside among the participants. However, the five days of interaction and exchange of experiences were crucial for the adoption of a new mentality, both among people with disabilities as well as for people without disabilities.
The second phase of AgriLab took place in the province of Inhambane, in the district of Massinga from 27th of November to 1st of December 2023, and the venue chosen was the Samora Machel Association, which has around 38 members, six of whom are people with disabilities, three women and three men.
Here are some thoughts shared with the team.
Guilherme Massinguile – DIF from Mabote
“I’ve been in SPARK since May 2023. I like my job –it’s interesting and we can create awareness about Disability Inclusion in the community. They can now feel that persons with disabilities are capable to do things. Before there were many barriers but SPARK is giving us a view to include persons with disabilities in things especially agriculture. AgriLab is important because it isn’t just about words, we can see that persons with disabilities are able to do things.
I am developing my knowledge on inclusion, and I feel that allowing access to all types of disability not just mobility is important. I would like to develop a project on accessible beehives – many persons with disabilities can’t do this, but I’d like to see how they can. We can develop accessible hives for beekeeping. AgriLab has made me think beyond the project and about my life and my own development.”
Marcelino Rafael Tinga - DIF from Vilankulo
“I want people to listen to us”- This is Marcelino’s statement, who has been DIF for two years now. He shared one episode of discrimination out of many that he has experienced because of his disability.
“In my area, we had a guy looking for a mechanic. I said I was one, but he looked at me and said its impossible because you have no legs. Later he asked around the town and someone said they know of the best mechanic and they brought him to me. He changed his mind and
accepted me to do the job.”
In this chat he tells us what his greatest motivation is for carrying out the work of facilitating the inclusion of people with disabilities.
“My aim is to create community awareness about disability to make others understand that persons with disabilities are valuable. I like to create awareness to show people we are all the same. I see a great development in AgriLab e.g. with the ramp to the storage of food. We would be hungry if we had to wait for people to get food for us if they are in the fields, but now we can get food for ourselves. AgriLab should spread. It should go to all the provinces and all the communities to facilitate universal access and design.”
Hexínia Francisco – SDAE (District Service for Economic Activities) from Massinga
“I’ve been connected to SPARK since 2022, when I joined the Uganda learning route. I was working with farmers with disabilities before but at that time we were a bit unsure what we were doing exactly. Then we understood we were really working on inclusion. It’s good to see so many people with disabilities included in the project. Now we make
sure we include persons with disabilities in all projects and activities of SDAE. This is due to SPARK.”
Mr. Mazive – farmer and beekeeper / honey producer
“I’ve been linked with SPARK since January 2022. Since I joined, I have
learned many new things on inclusion and how it is possible for persons with disabilities to show what they can do. We do things that others believe we cannot do.We can see that AgriLab offers practical and real solutions. I cannot see it but I can feel it.”
Daniel Armando Cossa - Builder
“This is my first time to be involved with SPARK. I was contacted through a DIF –
Mr. Marcelino and I worked on the designs. I’m glad to be part of it. It gives very nice teachings such as – even if you have a disability – you can still do things. I see it as empowering.”
Rita Fanar – head of Samora Machel Association
“From the day we started, I saw the beauty of what we were doing. I wish this could spread across the whole country… From the training on day 1 of AgriLab to the field we are happy because we saw our designs and now, we can implement.
These things will be used as a model in the future for others to come to see. You should do what you did here in other places… I think others will come and copy this – it won’t be hard to replicate now as they have something to copy. We are thankful for the support – do it for everyone. It is powerful for us.”
