Troupes des Personnes Handicapées Twuzuzanye

Troupes des Personnes Handicapées TWUZUZANYE (THT) is a disability-led non-governmental organization based in Rwanda. Founded in 2004 by persons with disabilities, THT began with the idea that theatre, drama and traditional dance can reach people in ways that reports and speeches cannot. The organization brings together members with all types of impairments and works to change attitudes, reduce stigma and win the rights of persons with disabilities across Rwanda. THT's work combines policy and budget advocacy, community awareness through drama, coalitions and partnerships, media and storytelling, capacity development for grassroots groups, and advocacy for inclusive health services and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). The organization reviews policies and budgets and gives decision-makers practical recommendations for inclusion, while its drama groups take powerful stories to communities to reduce stigma and discrimination. THT is a non-governmental organization, first legally registered in 2009, with registration renewed in 2012 (n029/11) under the new law number 04/2012 of 17/02/2012 governing NGOs in Rwanda. At the time of its last strategy it had 86 members: 49 women and 37 men. The organization describes persons with disabilities not as objects of charity but as rights holders, decision-makers and active members of their communities, reflecting the spirit of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the promise to leave no one behind. THT works with national and international partners to advance disability rights and inclusion. Its stated goals include carrying out evidence-based advocacy and lobbying so that groups of persons with disabilities across Rwanda can access inclusive social services, including basic education and health; raising community awareness; supporting families and schools; and informing policy-makers about what works for an inclusive society. The organization also promotes the participation of persons with disabilities in sports and cultural activities, including football and volleyball, and supports a cooperative of women with disabilities called cooperative Twuzuzanye Tujijurane, whose members earn income through knitting and sewing.

Troupes des Personnes Handicapées TWUZUZANYE (THT) was created in 2004 by persons with disabilities who wanted to do advocacy through drama, theatre and traditional dance. The organization began with a simple idea: theatre, drama and traditional dance can reach people that reports and speeches cannot. THT is a non-governmental organization, first legally registered in 2009, with registration renewed in 2012 (n029/11) under the new law number 04/2012 of 17/02/2012 governing NGOs in Rwanda. From 2007 to 2009, the group educated communities in ten districts on inclusive education, advocating that children with disabilities be included in education-for-all programs. They produced a video CD to teach persons with disabilities how to protect themselves from HIV and about the barriers they face in using condoms. The group participated actively in national and international days by organizing plays, songs or drawings in partnership with NGOs or various institutions. THT has promoted the participation of persons with disabilities in sports and cultural activities, including football and volleyball. Its seated volleyball teams were supported by Nyarugenge district in a championship organized by NPC/Rwanda (National Paralympic Committee of Rwanda), of which THT is a member. The organization also supports a cooperative of women with disabilities called cooperative Twuzuzanye Tujijurane, whose members earn income through knitting and sewing. THT has conducted training of trainers, and a group of volunteers was trained to teach communities about HIV, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and health knowledge with support from JICA. THT's objectives include conducting advocacy and lobbying on disability issues through drama; training persons with disabilities in health knowledge; promoting the well-being and fulfillment of persons with disabilities through sports and cultural activities; sensitizing persons with disabilities on reconciliation and fighting violence and discrimination; and fighting HIV. The organization is made up of members with all types of impairments. At the time of its last strategy it had 86 members: 49 women and 37 men. THT believes that persons with disabilities are not objects of charity but are rights holders, decision-makers and active members of their communities, reflecting the spirit of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the promise to leave no one behind.

• 2012

  Registration renewed (n029/11) under law number 04/2012 governing NGOs in Rwanda.

• 2009

  THT first legally registered as a non-governmental organization.

• 2007

  Group began educating communities in ten districts on inclusive education (2007-2009).

• 2004

  THT founded by persons with disabilities in Rwanda.

Disability-led advocacy organization using drama, dance and storytelling to change attitudes and advance the rights of persons with disabilities in Rwanda.

• Drama and theatre performances

  Drama groups take powerful stories to communities to reduce stigma and discrimination.

• Policy and budget advocacy

  Review policies and budgets and give decision-makers practical recommendations for inclusion.

• Capacity development

  Train grassroots groups of persons with disabilities to advocate for themselves and lead their own campaigns.

• Inclusive health and SRHR

  Advocate for inclusive health services and sexual and reproductive health rights for persons with disabilities across Rwanda.

• Media and storytelling

  Videos, radio, TV talk shows and social media carry messages further.

• Cooperative Twuzuzanye Tujijurane

  A cooperative of women with disabilities whose members earn income through knitting and sewing.

1. 1Home - THT Culturethtculture.org
2. 2About Us - THT Culturethtculture.org
3. 3Wikidata Q129676204wikidata.org
4. 4Troupes des Personnes Handicapées Twuzazanye-THTrw.wikipedia.org