The Chief Executive Officer of the Coast Association of Persons With Disability Hamisa Zaja on Saturday received an award from the ‘I change nation voice of Change’ for her efforts across the region.

The award titled 'Regional Voice of Change Award' was in recognition of her integrity and willingness to challenge the status quo on social and humanitarian matters especially those affecting people with disability.

I Change Nations is a Culture of Honor System, the organization is committed to bringing back the lost art of honor by building a Culture of Honor that recognizes individuals throughout the world who have exemplified extraordinary humanitarian efforts to effectively change nations.

Among those who have so far been awarded and recognised by the organisation includes Former President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone,Former Vice President of Gambia, H.E Fatoumata jallow-Tambajang, Former President of Malawi Joyce Banda among others.

Zaja who also happens to be a Challenge ambassador at UK-Urban link Africa since July 2020 was nominated for the ward by Leila Awale.

The award was presented to her by Reuben West of the Global Voices of Change that recognises outstanding individuals in several parts of the word using their tongues to transform the society.

 “This award is the beginning of another personal challenge to set the bar higher and to serve the community with even more dedication,” said Zaja.

Born with disability and raised in Mombasa, Zaja said that life begun for her when she chose to see and accept her disability and then realized and practised her abilities.

One of her outstanding achievement is the erection of public toilets in areas of Kongowea, Majengo and Bangladesh villages in Mombasa which were valnurable to diseases due to poor sanitation through her ‘maji na ufanisi’ program.

In 2016, she pioneered the formation of the African Resource and Development Agency which aimed at providing crucial solutions in resource management.

Zaja has also declared her interest to take a second shot at the Mombasa women representative seat in next year’s general elections.

She said that given the chance to be the woman representative in 2022, she would foster partnerships with local and international organisations to solve some of the issues affecting the community especially women and young girls and people living with disabilities.

“I have the networks of partnerships in Kenya and outside the country and through this we will be able to solve some of the issues affecting our people, the government alone cannot do it,” said Zaja.

She said that the government needed to do more in fighting the stigma associated with people living with disability and also faulted the integration of PWD’s in learning institutions saying that it has not worked well since many learning institutions lack the amenities that are PWD friendly.

“As a person living with disability I can say that the government has not yet done enough to address our challenges, we need a push in some of the policies that the government has refrained from implementing,”

She added that the government needs to ensure that there is access for every government services to people living with disabilities.