Girl in wheelchair playing ball with young boy
What does it mean to be differently abled?

Over the years, many different words have been used about people with disabilities, words that often make people feel they are worth less than others. Today, you often see the phrase differently abled.

What does it mean to be differently abled?

We all have abilities, inabilities, strengths and weaknesses. Being differently abled means that in some way we differ from what most people in society are able to do. The most important thing is that you and your friends treat all children equally, and make sure that the rights of all children are respected. Together we can fight to reduce the obstacles for children with disabilities throughout society. And preferably start using the word differently abled.

200 million children with disabilities

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children with disabilities have the same rights as all other children. They are entitled to extra support and help to have a good life. Despite this, children with disabilities are some of the most vulnerable children, not just among the Maasai and in Tanzania. There are 200 million children with disabilities in the world.

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Anna Mollel first experienced how difficult life could be for differently abled children in the Maasai villages of northern Tanzania when she was just six years old.
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Anna Mollel has been nominated to become the WCP Decade Child Rights Hero 2020, for her fight for differently abled Maasai children and other children living in poverty in rural areas of northern Tanzania.
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