Why focus on international competitions like the Paralympics?
Is this possible and will they succeed?
Where will the money go & how much will it cost?
What actual difference will it make?
But how will this help people with disabilities in Haiti?
What role do the people of Haiti have in this?
Why isn’t Haiti doing this itself?
What is the correlation to the Earthquake response?
Doesn’t charity begin at home?
Who are the organisations behind “The Dream”?
What do other people say about this idea?
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What is the Dream?
‘The Dream’ is a campaign to support the development of disability sport in Haiti, and provide opportunities for disabled Haitian Athletes seeking to qualify and participate in the 2012 Paralympic Games. Working in collaboration with the National Paralympic Committee of Haiti, we want to use this historic opportunity to:
- Help fight the stigma within Haiti associated with people with disability
- Help support Haitian communities in the development of services needed for people with disability
- Provide infrastructure for long-term sporting activity, for people with disability in Haiti
- Encourage the international community to better respond to the needs of people with disability in the developing world
- Inspire people all over the world, especially those with disability
Why is this important?
Around 10% of Haitians have a disability, yet the stigma and social exclusion is harrowing. However, Haitians with disabilities live with incredible courage and determination. the charity (the founding group of ‘The Dream’) opened one of Haiti’s first spinal chord injury units in the aftermath of the earthquake, and believed people with disabilities in Haiti deserved more. With many of the supporting organisations having worked in Haiti for over five years, we’ve witnessed first hand both the incredible courage and injustice people with disabilities face.
Why focus on international competitions like the Paralympics?
An international vision requires an international stage. Around 98% of people in the developing world with disabilities don’t receive the care they need. The Paralympics is one of the few key events in the international calendar where people with disabilities have a platform to challenge the world based upon their achievements.
Who are the athletes?
‘The Dream’ is looking to provide support for the Haitian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), who choose athletes based on their ability and potential. Furthermore, aside from the Haitian NPC team, we’ll be supporting 3-4 disability advocates from Haiti, who couldn’t qualify as competitors, but deserve the right to go as spectators and capture the vision of disability sport. Some are likely to have been injured through the earthquake.
How will they be trained?
Partnerships with recognized groups like the an international spinal-injury foundation (one of Europe’s leading Rehabilitation groups) have been formed, allowing Haitian athletes access to suitable and high class trainers. However there are not enough training facilities in Haiti so developing infrastructure for the long-term development and support from the Haitian people is key to this dream.
What events will they do?
Further information on this to come, based on the athletes progress in the coming months. The Haitian NPC has a tough job deciding who will go, with some talented individuals! At the November 2011 Parapan Games, Haiti was represented by two field athletes in javelin and discuss, one runner, and a hand cyclist.
Is this possible and will they succeed?
The Dream has already proved successful supporting Haiti’s first handcyclist, a victim from the earthquake, who recently competed at the 2011 Parapan Games in Mexico! Further more, in 2008, Haiti successfully took one Paralympian to the Beijing games, installing confidence that this dream is achievable.
What if they fail?
This dream goes beyond whether Haiti can win a medal. The heart of this campaign is to inspire people with disabilities around the world, challenge stigma, awaken the international community, and leave a lasting sports infrastructure for people with disabilities in Haiti. Regardless of the outcome, their documented journey will powerfully depict the incredible challenges that people with disabilities in the developing world face.
Where will the money go & how much will it cost?
‘The Dream’ campaign is raising money to help support the development of disability sport in Haiti, and campaign globally for the need for greater support for people with disabilities. Funds will include, supporting specific athletes, developing infrastructure, helping the Haitian NPC, and developing the international campaign. The Dream is seeking £350K to fulfil the overall vision. A full breakdown of costs can be provided. ‘The Dream’ campaign is raising money to help support the development of disability sport in Haiti, and campaign globally for the need for greater support for people with disabilities. Funds will include, supporting specific athletes, developing infrastructure, helping the Haitian NPC, and developing the international campaign. The Dream is seeking £350K to fulfil the overall vision. A full breakdown of costs can be provided.
What’s in it for sponsors?
Sponsorship enquiries for the Haitian NPC team should be done in direct consultation with the Haitian Paralympic Director. ‘The Dream’ is offering sponsorship opportunities for individuals interested in sponsoring long term infrastructure, like a disability sports centre, and ‘The Dream’ documentary.
What actual difference will it make?
Sport is recognised as a key rehabilitation component across the world, and the vision of ‘The Dream’ has the backing of one of Europe’s leading Spinal Cord Injury Units. An international spinal-injury foundation. Sport has been powerfully used all over the globe to re-integrate people with disabilities into their communities. In Haiti there are very limited public services for people with disabilities. Subsequently, vast numbers of individuals with a disability are alienated by their communities and viewed as cursed. ‘The Dream’ is not just about bringing Haitian athletes to London 2012, but developing an infrastructure within Haiti which will help thousands of people for many years to come.
But how will this help people with disabilities in Haiti?
Sport is recognised as a key rehabilitation component across the world, and the vision of ‘The Dream’ has the backing of one of Europe’s leading spinal chord injury units — An international spinal-injury foundation. Sport has been powerfully used all over the globe to re-integrate people with disabilities into their communities. In Haiti there are very limited public services for people with disabilities. Subsequently, vast numbers of individuals with a disability are alienated by their communities and viewed as cursed. ‘The Dream’ is not just about bringing Paralympians to London 2012, but developing an infrastructure within Haiti which will help thousands of people for many years to come.
What role do the people of Haiti have in this?
In Haiti, ‘The Dream’ will be led and driven by Haitians. Our heart is to equip, empower and educate a Haitian-led vision which will lead a legacy for many years beyond 2012.
Why isn’t Haiti doing this itself?
The Haitian NPC has been active more many years, and are the driving force behind all efforts for London 2012. However, disability sport in Haiti has almost non-existent support, making it difficult for athletes to truly fulfil their potential. Even before the earthquake Haiti was one of the poorest countries in the world, and the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. The earthquake has only caused further suffering in an already long history of tragedy and extreme poverty. Amidst years of political unrest and natural disasters, many of Haiti’s public services have been severely stretched beyond their capabilities and subsequently oft neglected.
Is it faith based?
Many of the founders of ‘The Dream’ have launched this in the belief of a world that was created to be just, inclusive and fair. Beyond the original founders, the vision itself is for all who believe in the need for greater disability support globally.
What is the correlation to the Earthquake response?
As well as supporting a number of individuals who suffered injuries as a result of the earthquake, the Haitian Government highlighted rehabilitation as one of its key long-term, post-earthquake objectives in the reconstruction of the nation. This vision strengthens that desire in every area.
Doesn’t charity begin at home?
We believe that depends on how you view home. However, even for those who believe this statement, the international heart behind this campaign will also act as a tool to challenge stigma within the UK, and empower young people with disabilities across Britain.
Who are the organisations behind “The Dream”?
the founding charity
One of Haiti’s leading rehabilitation groups which has worked alongside the UN, MSF, and other leading agencies since 2006, gaining national and international recognition.
a global partnership network
An international organisation that have worked all over the world linking the corporate sector with the NGO sector alongside the UN and many other groups.
a UK mission charity
A renowned British NGO which supports development and disaster relief in over 35 countries across the world.
An international spinal-injury foundation
The founders of one of Europe’s most highly respected and largest spinal chord injury units.
What do other people say about this idea?
‘We were impressed by the care provided to these special needs patients and the specialized training of local nursing students. We also noted how well the charity was managing their funding in response to the crisis situation in Haiti, which they continued to do in response to the cholera epidemic.
Minustah (UN) North Department highly values the partnership with the founding charity and looks forward to continuing our mutual purpose . to support Haiti through reinforcing its public sector capacity’.
a senior UN Civil Affairs official in Haiti
