About
We Can Work

Narrator: Nanda, what is your dream job? What would a world where young persons with disabilities have access to dignified and fulfilling work look like?

Narrator: By 2030, young Africans will make up 42 percent of the world’s population. The dreams of these young people will shape our world. Businesses and organizations are increasingly recognizing the potential of African youth. Yet young persons with disabilities are still left behind in both the public and private sectors.

Narrator: The We Can Work program harnesses the power of self-advocacy to drive the global disability inclusion agenda forward.

Narrator: It improves access to dignified and fulfilling work for young women and men with disabilities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal.

Narrator: At the heart of We Can Work are disability inclusion facilitators: a network of young women and men with disabilities who are trained and mentored to be drivers of change.

Narrator: The lived experience they bring, combined with showcasing ability in action, is an effective way to change mindsets and demonstrate the importance of disability inclusion.

Narrator: The program is built on three pillars.

Narrator: Under Pillar One, young women and men with disabilities are supported to transition into dignified and fulfilling work.

Narrator: They receive training to make informed choices about their lives and careers through the We Can Work Academy and are supported to form startups, engage in agribusiness, and access waged employment.

Narrator: Pillar Two supports Young Africa Works partners and other system actors to implement disability-inclusive programs through tailored coaching provided by a network of disability inclusion facilitators.

Narrator: This support enables partners to take deliberate steps to meaningfully engage young women and men with disabilities and ensure they benefit equally from programs and services.

Narrator: Pillar Three addresses the limited representation of youth with disabilities within disability advocacy movements, as well as within mainstream youth and women’s rights organizations.

Narrator: We Can Work builds leadership skills and connects young women and men with disabilities to opportunities where they can actively contribute to national and regional advocacy agendas.

Narrator: Together, these three pillars work to build a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper, and where no one is left behind.

Participants (on screen):
My name is Nanda. I am an animator.
My name is Nabasi Joan. I am a dancer.
My name is Tuha Suleiman. I am a social worker.
My name is Olamide Ewejobi. I am a marketing and communication strategist.
My name is Eloka Oduwe. I am a podcaster.

All participants (together): We can work.