Pelgrina Shimanu Ndumba: Changing mindsets in Namibia

Pelgrina's assignment was part of the UNDP-UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities, and was funded by the Government of Sweden. Her motivation to volunteer with the UN stemmed from her desire to shift mindsets towards persons with disabilities. She also wanted to prove that disability does not mean inability. 

She supported the project, "Strengthening Integrated Systems to Promote Access to Services for Persons with Disabilities”, and wrote part of the national human development report and national disability forum. This project was particularly important for Namibia having ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and also having national priorities aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Despite the conducive policy framework, Pelgrina notes that a gap remains between policy and implementation in Namibia, primarily as a result of a lack of information, public awareness and understanding. This in turn has led to stigma and discrimination, limited access to education, health care, employment opportunities and resources.

She shares, “Through volunteerism, I worked with people from diverse backgrounds and brought my knowledge to the team from a disability perspective. I recommend volunteering one hundred per cent.” Pelgrina feels volunteering enables a person to contribute to peace and development advises others looking to volunteer with the UN to follow suit.

After completing her UN Volunteer assignment, Pelgrina now interns with the National Disability Council of Namibia, where she assists with training the local council on completing the disability annual monitoring reporting tool and organizes awareness-raising campaigns and trainings.