From Village to Village

February 28, 2020

Archy Gomba distributes school supplies

Gomba's organization, Shirati for Active Rehabilitation and Development Organization, or SARDO, aims to promote inclusion for people with disabilities in all aspects of life. As an adult with a physical disability, Archy grew up understanding how disability can create barriers to getting an education, getting a job, or being accepted in the community. His organization focuses on supportive interventions, because he knows even simple supports can make a big difference. Like school supplies for students with disabilities who often face discrimination and exclusion in his country.

In an extra suitcase, Gomba brought back pencils from the University of Iowa Main Library, erasers from the Olmstead Consumer Task Force, and pens from the UI Neuroscience Institute. The suitcase also contained a battery-powered pencil sharpener, rechargeable batteries and charger, and 20 multi-colored backpacks for students. Gomba distributed these supplies to students with disabilities. UCEDD staff Tammie Amsbaugh and Patti Bahr curated the donations, and with other staff, made personal contributions to support Gomba's work and SARDO. "It takes a village," Amsbaugh reflected on the African proverb.

While he was at CDD, Gomba worked with UCEDD director Derrick Willis and Amsbaugh to develop his fellowship project. He traveled and met with many of the UCEDD's program partners in the state, including Disability Rights Iowa and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. He also had the opportunity to visit the Iowa state legislature, and he met Governor Kim Reynolds when she issued a proclamation for National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month.

UCEDD staff will do an "outbound" visit to Tanzania later this year. During their two-week trip, sponsored the U.S. State Department, they will help Gomba build capacity to deliver disability services in the village of Shirati.

Read Archy Gomba's blog about his fellowship experience at CDD: http://bit.ly/39R0jpn

Get in touch with Tammie Amsbaugh to learn more about the experience of working with Gomba during his fellowship: [email protected]