Working together to see how we can achieve even more

Liliane Fonds organised a partner meeting with all its partner organisations from 16 different countries from 17 to 21 June 2024. We learned from each other and shared success stories. We also looked ahead to the future and asked ourselves: what can we do to work together even more and help even more children with disabilities?

A total of 61 people (colleagues from Liliane Fonds, MIVA and our partners in 16 different countries) gathered in Kampala for the five-day partner meeting organised for and by our partner organisations. The varied programme consisted of partner visits, workshops, presentations, discussions and ‘fun’ elements that enabled us to get to know each other better.

Sharing information and experiences

The partner meeting gave us a week to delve deeper into a number of subjects. We discussed our multiannual strategy and listened to each other’s opinions and ideas about it. We covered the implementation of strategic changes as well. But our ultimate aim was for the partner meeting to help us improve collaboration even more. Not just between Liliane Fonds and our partners but also between the partners themselves. Each country is facing its own challenges. So, by sharing experiences and learning from each other, we can improve the quality of each of the programmes as well.
“I call upon everyone to be open to change. We can’t change the process if we don’t change.”-Lilian, Uganda

Inclusive on all fronts

Everyone was involved in the organisation of this meeting. But it was our partners who contributed their thoughts and ideas on the content and helped develop the sessions to make the programme interesting and relevant for everyone. It was important for the venue to be easily accessible for everyone and the same applied for the information too So, translators and sign language interpreters were present every day.

A look behind the scenes

In groups, we visited three of our partner organisations in the Kampala area: Albinism Umbrella, Uganda National Action for Physically Disabled (UNAPD) and Katalemwa Cheshire Homes (KCH). They talked to us about their programmes and approach and the partners from other countries shared their experiences of similar work. It was a good way to gain an even better understanding of what organisations are up against and of the support they need.

Impressive speakers, inspiring venue

One day was reserved for an external event at another inspiring venue. Karin Boven, the Dutch ambassador to Uganda, attended. The theme of the day was ‘promoting the inclusion of disabled people in development’.
Olive Namtebi was one of the speakers. She has albinism and is Executive Director of Albinism Umbrella. She shared her experiences and made a plea for the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities: ‘don’t turn an accountant into a receptionist just to be able to tick the disability box’. She also called for more of a focus on economic empowerment, which is important for the independence and self-respect of people with disabilities.
Dr. Abdul Busuulwa is a disability rights activist and university lecturer. He spoke impressively about his experiences as a person who has had a visible disability from birth.

Market for knowledge and contact

At the Market Place, partners presented their work to each other in different ways. They explained their work and discussed common challenges and their successes too.

“The real magic happened in our discussions with each other. We shared experiences, challenges and success stories. We took this inspiration home with us.” – Samuel, Sierra Leone

Achieving even more together

Feedback from participants about the partner meeting was positive. The good, substantive discussions, the commitment and motivation to achieve a further structural improvement of the programmes and the enthusiasm to work together even more: this successful week couldn’t have had a better outcome. We were able to answer questions, learn from each other and show that our partners aren’t alone in the work they are doing.