Put people with disabilities in the driving seat!

“My name is Adnan and I am a recent graduate of the rickshaw driving training by NOWPDP. I worked as a salesman at a car workshop. My pay was less but the work was demanding – more so for me because of the inaccessible workplace. I worked hard to earn a living for myself and my three children but with increasing expenses, my income was nowhere near sufficient. I had to depend on others to support my family and I hated it the most. Few months back, I got to know about NOWPDP’s Rickshaw Project from my friend and I enrolled in it to learn rickshaw driving and basic mechanics.

I never thought in my life that I can learn something that has the possibility of making me self-sufficient. Just as I finished my training, I was connected to a volunteer (Adeena) based in Lahore, who started a campaign to raise funding for my own rickshaw. Yes, my own rickshaw. Trust me, I never imagined that I will ever be able to own something. Just today, I was called at the NOWPDP’s office where they surprised me with this life changing gift.

I am thankful to all the donors, supporters and well-wisher for changing my life.”

We are grateful to you and everyone who continue to play their vital role in changing lives of people with disabilities every day. Please continue to support us in moving people and changing lives by supporting the Rickshaw Project.

NOWPDP recently hosted its biggest public event featuring our hand-controlled fleet of rickshaws driven by our colleague with disabilities. Titled as “TukTuk March”, Pakistan’s leading celebrities partnered with our rickshaw drivers to give a message of inclusion and the right to work.

Some of the celebrities who participated include Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed, Wasim Akram, Feroze Khan, Maya Ali, Sanam Saeed, Ayesha Omar, Bilal Ashraf, and HSY. The event was widely covered by mainstream media and it remained a major social media highlight in Pakistan.

The entire premise of hosting this march was to showcase the message that if opportunities are created, people with disabilities can do anything. This also worked as a medium to increase the support base, so more people can come forward and help us expand the fleet.

We have a waitlist of persons with disabilities, who are looking to get hand-controlled rickshaws and your support can change their lives. Help us bring persons with disabilities in the driving seat!

Links:

• What is the Tuk Tuk March and why did celebrities take part in i
• Not disabled just differently-abled
• Ride for a cause: Celebs come together for Tuk Tuk March