28 August 2012
The next fortnight will see disabled athletes from over 100 countries compete at the Paralympic Games in London. The athletes embody the Paralympic values of courage, determination and inspiration. The hope is that they will inspire a better world for disabled people. For many in the world’s poorest countries, this cannot come quickly enough.
Picture: International Inspiration / Andrew Baker
Over a billion people, or 15%, of the global population have a disability, with a higher prevalence in developing countries. In many poor countries, people with disabilities are amongst the very poorest and are often shunned, isolated and stigmatised - kept from attending school or finding work and ignorant of their rights. But through sport and other means, Britain is helping improve the lives of disabled people in some of the poorest countries in the world.
With the support of the UK government, organisations like the International Inspiration Foundation, the Disability Rights Fund, ADD International and Sightsavers are helping disabled people in developing countries get a better life by making them aware of their rights, helping build their self-confidence, and getting them into school.
The inspirational power of sport: Osama's story
ADD International, with the help of British aid, is supporting disabled people in some of the poorest countries in the world to achieve a life they never thought was possible.
A serious setback
Osama grew up in Kassala town in eastern Sudan. He was only 11 years old when he developed a severe eye infection and lost his sight. His family tried everything they could to get him treatment but after a year the doctors eventually said that there was nothing they could do for him.
Hearing this news shocked Osama and his entire family and Osama didn't leave his house for the next two years. Despite all of his mother's efforts, Osama absolutely refused to visit family, friends or return to school.
A sporting chance
It was the attraction of sport that proved to be the turning point. Osama heard that a disability development centre had opened nearby and was offering training courses in braille, handicrafts, counselling and sporting activities.
"When I joined the group I learnt that blind people could have hope for a nice life," he recalls. "I was happy receiving training with other blind youths, but still I did not return to school. One day a visitor came from Elnur Institute for the Blind, in Khartoum. She was impressed with my performance and five of my colleagues."
The Elnur Institute for the Blind gave Osama and his colleagues the chance to complete their education. It was a huge turning point in Osama's life, one which has given him the determination to succeed. Osama has since graduated in Arabic language at the University of Kassala in Sudan.
Inspired to succeed
ADD International, funded by UK aid, works with organisations such as Elnur to reach out to disabled people like Osama. Not only do disabled people learn about their basic rights and how to challenge discrimination, but also how they can become active, independent citizens.
Osama's love of sport is now helping others.
"Before I was an idle, tough person, now I am an active member in my community. I formed the bell ball team and I am the coach," he says.
Bell ball is like a football but with a bell inside and it is used in sports played by people with visual impairments. Osama took this up along with many other sports, and was selected to participate in the National Championships in Khartoum.
"My hopes became reality when my union selected me to participate. I won silver and bronze medals. This event was a significant change in my life because it means I am able to achieve my dreams - it means a great victory to disabled people in general."
Arshad the future paralympian
Silver success
Eight-year-old Arshad from Haryana in India recently took silver in the 100 metre running race at the India National Association for the Blind (NAB) Sports Meet.
For Arshad, who went blind after suffering from typhoid as a baby, coming second in the race is evidence of the life changing support he has received. 
Silver success: Arshad (number 286) running the race. Picture: Sightsavers
"I am happy to become self-dependent and feel motivated after winning the prize in the sports competition. One day I want to take part in the Paralympics," he says.
Early support
Arshad was six when he was identified as needing help. Arshad was first found during a house-to-house survey by a Sightsavers' partner. He wasn't attending school and was being left to fend for himself whilst his father was away working as a truck driver. Initially he received nutritional support as he was underweight. Arshad was then enrolled on a month-long course to teach him daily living skills which included mobility, sensory skills and braille.
Torch bearer
Thanks to this support, Arshad became independent enough to enter a local, mainstream school. Here, supported by a dedicated teacher, he can now read and write braille and work on maths problems. He has also started participating in sports and quickly demonstrated a talent for running, culminating in his silver success in the NAB sports meet.
Arshad's father considers him a "torch bearer for disabilities" and is proud of the way his son has changed.
UK aid's support to Sightsavers enables them to provide life changing help to many more children like Arshad.