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  What began as a settlement of just eight houses in Kambia's Magbema Chiefdom has grown into what many proudly call the "Village of Hope": a powerful symbol of resilience, inclusion, and the determination of persons with disabilities to build better lives. Last week, that journey reached another milestone with the commissioning of rehabilitated Skills Training Centres in Kambia and Kenema that will provide vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities. The centres were established under the project "Enabling Economic Independence for Especially Abled Persons in Sierra Leone," funded by the Government of India through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Social Welfare. The initiative aims to expand access to skills development and economic opportunities, empowering persons with disabilities to become more self-reliant and active contributors to national development. While both centres represent a significant investment in disability inclusion, Kambia's story stands out as a testament to the transformative power of opportunity. From a community that once consisted of only eight houses, the Village of Hope has evolved into a thriving settlement where persons with disabilities have found safety, dignity, and belonging. The new Skills Training Centre builds on this legacy by equipping residents with marketable skills, enhancing their incomes, and strengthening their independence.The commissioning of the Kambia and Kenema centres marks the first phase of a broader initiative that will expand to other districts across Sierra Leone. Speaking at the event, Minister of Social Welfare Melrose Karminty described the project as a transformative effort to restore dignity and create opportunities for persons with disabilities. She emphasised that disability should never be a barrier to achieving one's aspirations and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens. On behalf of the United Nations, UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana described the opening of the centres as an important step towards advancing the rights, dignity, and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone. She noted that the centres would help address barriers to education, employment, and social participation while promoting inclusion and equal opportunity. Kevin Petrini, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, highlighted that the centres are more than rehabilitated buildings. They are spaces where people can acquire skills, build confidence, and access opportunities that improve livelihoods and enable fuller participation in community life. He stressed that their long-term success would depend on sustained collaboration among government institutions, development partners, district councils, and organisations of persons with disabilities. Representing the Government of India, Neeraj Kumar Saini, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the High Commission of India, described the centres as symbols of hope, inclusion, and opportunity. He noted that the project, supported through a grant of US$990,000 from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, demonstrates the impact of strong partnerships in reaching vulnerable communities and advancing inclusive development. The Presidential Adviser on Disability Inclusion, Maseray Brima-Lavallie, also welcomed the initiative, emphasising that genuine inclusion must extend beyond policy commitments to practical actions that empower persons with disabilities economically and socially. She encouraged beneficiaries to seize the opportunities offered through the centres to strengthen their capacities, assume leadership roles, and contribute to national development.