Support 100 disabled youth with Assistive devices.

A NOTE FROM GLOBALGIVING:

Please welcome Fredrick Ouko Alucheli. He is a new project leader here at GlobalGiving and over the past few weeks we have had the opportunity to get to know Fredrick and the great work he does for his organization Kenya Disabled Action Network.

Periodically over the next two months we will be sending you snapshots about Fredrick’s life and work. We encourage your feedback about this new form of progress update so that we can provide you with the most interesting and relevant information possible about the projects and causes you support.

We thank you for your contributions and ask you to consider donating again to Fredrick and the Kenya Disabled Action Network. Feel free to tell your friends about Fredrick and his incredible work!

Fredrick Ouko Alucheli: A Champion for Disabled Youth in Kenya

Fredrick Ouko Alucheli is the Executive Director of Kenya Disabled Action Network (KEDAN). The 26-year-old is a young paraplegic with a background in Business Administration from the Kenya School of Professional Studies. Ever since his high school days at the Mombasa Secondary School for the Physically Handicapped, Fredrick has held various leadership roles, starting with Head-Student and Chairman of both the Law and Interact clubs.

Before joining KEDAN, Fredrick was a founding director of the Kibera Community Youth Programme (KCYP), a unique organization formed and run by young people in the Kibera slum in Nairobi. During his five year tenure, Fredrick spearheaded efforts that brought the organization international acclaim for its success as a youth-lead initiative. The KCYP’s innovative and simple solar assembling project was aired on CNN`s Global Challenges Program and went on to win an international award in Basel, Switzerland, dubbed Clean Energy Awards in 2007.

At KEDAN, Fredrick has also used his networking skills to bring the organization into both the national and international spotlights. He has worked hard to expand its reach and initiate unique programs targeting young disabled people in Kenya, such as the Job Placement and Livelihood Project that seeks to find solutions to employment problems facing persons with disabilities. The project works with employers to provide internship and employment opportunities to young disabled people, and over 60 youth have undergone training with over 10 of them securing an internship or employment in different sectors of the economy. In addition, KEDAN carries out capacity building and advocacy activities to ensure that young disabled people both know and demand their rights. The organization seeks to improve the socio-economic status of young disabled people, many of whom are living in severe poverty.

Due to Fredrick’s deep knowledge of and experience in youth and disability issues, he was nominated by the UN Youth Section to serve for three years as an advisor on the Global Advisory Panel for the Disability Rights Fund. He also sits on the board of a handful of organizations, is married, and the proud father of one daughter.