One of the Afghan refugees, ‘Jamil’ Ur Rehman, who was born in Pakistan. He said, as a person with a disability as well as a refugee, he has confronted a series of obstacles in order to get an education.
Rooted community views on disability meant that he was actively discouraged from attending school in his village in northwest Pakistan.
He further said that everyone takes me for granted and never think anything about me that I can do a lot, and my parents were interested to send me to school, but I faced so many hurdles by the community elders because they always said that I am a disabled child and could not take education.
Which is why, at the age of 33, he has dedicated his life to removing the multiple barriers that would save refugees who are also disabled from getting to school in Pakistan and changing attitudes about that they can achieve a lot once they enter the classroom.
“Being disabled, I can understand the feelings of disabled people and the pain we all face in our life, he says. I wanted to do something great for others rather than focus on my own disability. I want to bring smiles to others faces.”
Some four years ago, Jamil established the Afghan refugee Disabled Union (ARDU) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is a home t many refugees who have left Afghanistan in the years since the onset of conflict in 1979 triggered the first surge of displacement.
With the help of the Afghan refugee community, the local community Union so far distributed 60 wheelchairs to youngsters who are staying currently in a refugee camp in a village who with support of the Afghan refugee community, the local Union has so far distributed 60 wheelchairs to youngsters living in refugee villages who need them to get to school and realize their potential.
Jamil stated that I do not want any disabled person to suffer or feel that they cannot be happy or self-reliant and can not do anything they want.
As per estimation, there are 12 million people who are disabled in the camp and forcibly displaced by persecution, violence and human rights violations worldwide, although surveys and assessments suggest the actual number may be much higher.
Jamil said that I realize that more and more education was necessary to be heard because if you are not educated, you cannot achieve anything in your life. No one will listen.
