One of the first in Ghana to participate in the YES program, Alhaji “Pjay” Mohammed (YES 2007-2008, Ghana, hosted by AFS in Alexandria, VA), returned to Ghana with the passion to inspire and empower persons with disabilities. Read more about Alhaji's experience on the YES program and his Dare to Dive project in a short interview below. 

What challenges and opportunities did you come across during your YES year? How did you overcome these challenges? What steps did you take to get to where you are today?

As a person with disability (PwD) from Africa, I found out there were very few PwDs wherever I went - school, church, the cinema, etc. The challenge with that is, there was little motivation to get involved in anything. I became self-conscious about my disability and felt different. In the U.S., unlike in my country, there were equal opportunities for all persons irrespective of disabilities. Most facilities at public places were disability friendly. I could access the bus, subway, cinemas, or stairs at school. There were support groups and institutions who were willing to help PwDs overcome their challenges. For instance, I attended a workshop organized by MIUSA in Eugene, Oregon, where I learned ways to adjust to the challenges I face in my home community as a PwD. I also had the opportunity to learn how to swim -- something I had never dreamed of.

I overcame challenges by taking advantage of opportunities. The opportunities made it easier to not just overcome challenges associated with my disability, but also helped with cultural adjustments. The courage I built from participating in activities and learning new things brought me this far. I came back as a more open-minded person and possessed the courage to try new things and create opportunities where there are none. I also focused on volunteering for activities, especially with other YES alumni, as a step to overcoming the challenges of my disability in my home country.

Why did you choose to participate in the YES program?

Although I knew little about the YES program, I understood I could get the opportunity to learn new cultures, try new things, experience new ways of living, and have fun as well. My greatest motivation for choosing the YES program, however, was to experience and learn to be independent as a PwD. Prior to the program, I didn't know how to perform various tasks on my own, because my family would do them for me due to my disability.

What inspired you to start "Dare to Dive"? 

I've been involved in several alumni activities and volunteer projects since my return from the YES program. For instance, I was a part of an alumni team who successfully ran an IT class for a deprived school for more than 3 years. I have also led health screenings, donations, cleanup exercises and peace campaigns for the 10 years I've been back in my home country, Ghana. My biggest achievement is the Dare-to-Dive project, which seeks to teach PwDs to swim to encourage inclusion, boost their self-image and raise community awareness on disability inclusion.

My inspiration for Dare-to-Dive stems from my personal involvement in activities that few PwDs I know dare to try. At my university in Ghana, very little effort is made to encourage PwD participation in sporting activities and other extracurricular activities. Usually at the school's swimming pool, there are no PwDs beside me. I couldn't understand why other PwDs could not also enjoy such a scintillating feeling of power and courage I get while swimming. A personal encounter with some PwD friends revealed that lack of self-motivation, shyness, fear of rejection and lack of accessibility to accommodate their disabilities were their challenges. I, therefore, started Dare-to-Dive together with other YES alumni to, not only teach them how to swim, but most importantly teach them to be independent and encourage participation in community activities.

                Congratulations on all of you accomplishments, Alhaji!