About LGPD Rwanda
Learn about our journey, our mission, and the unwavering values that drive our work in empowering persons with disabilities across Rwanda. Discover how we're building a more inclusive society together.
Our founding story and achievements
LGPD Rwanda was founded on 15 December 2020 by eleven passionate individuals committed to improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Rwanda. The organisation was inspired by the need to address the discrimination, exclusion, and limited access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities faced by women, girls, and children with disabilities, particularly those from vulnerable families. Since its establishment, LGPD has become a legally registered Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD), empowered over 120 persons with disabilities through rights awareness training, helped children with disabilities access life-changing medical treatment and education, and built strong partnerships with local authorities and communities. Our proudest achievement is seeing persons with disabilities gain confidence, exercise their rights, and become active participants in building more inclusive communities.
Our core beliefs and values
At LGPD Rwanda, we believe that every person, regardless of disability, deserves dignity, equal rights, respect, and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Our work is guided by the values of integrity, transparency, accountability, teamwork, inclusion, and compassion.
We are committed to promoting disability rights through advocacy and awareness, empowering women with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities, improving access to inclusive healthcare, supporting inclusive education, advancing equal rights and social inclusion, and promoting rehabilitation and recreational opportunities that enhance well-being and independence.
We believe in empowering people rather than creating dependency by working in partnership with families, communities, government institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners to remove barriers and create inclusive opportunities. Through these efforts, we strive to build a Rwanda where every person with a disability is valued, included, and able to participate fully in community life.
Our focus: specific groups in Rwanda
LGPD Rwanda serves persons with disabilities from vulnerable and low-income households, with a particular focus on rural women and girls with disabilities (aged 15–49), women raising children with disabilities, and children with disabilities (aged 3–15). These groups often experience multiple barriers, including limited access to quality healthcare, inclusive education, economic opportunities, rehabilitation services, disability rights information, and social protection, while also facing stigma, discrimination, and exclusion.
Through our programmes in Advocacy & Awareness, Women Empowerment, Health Care Support, Inclusive Education Support, Promoting Equal Rights & Inclusion, and Rehabilitation & Recreation, we work to address these challenges and promote the dignity, well-being, and full participation of persons with disabilities.
We also collaborate closely with families, caregivers, local leaders, schools, healthcare providers, government institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners to strengthen support systems, advance disability inclusion, and build safe, accessible, and inclusive communities where every person with a disability has the opportunity to thrive and realize their full potential.
"LGPD Rwanda's dedication to empowering persons with disabilities is truly inspiring. Their programmes have made a tangible difference in our community."
Aisha Mukamana, Community Leader, Rwanda