CHALI MULENGA
LivingstoneFor Abel Chiluti, the journey from a childhood of ridicule to a seat at the decision-making table has been defined by a single, unwavering principle: a person with a disability has the same rights as anyone else.
Born with a physical disability on January 12, 1987, in Libuyu township, Mr Chiluti, 38, recalls a childhood marked by mockery from peers and a community that viewed disability as a condition to be pitied rather than one to be understood and accommodated.
The second-born in a family of six, he says the challenges extended beyond his personal struggles, placing an emotional and practical burden on his parents, who had to balance providing care for him with raising the rest of the family.
“During my childhood, it was not easy because I was being mocked by my colleagues,” Mr Chiluti said in an interview.
“At that time, the community looked at disability as a case. So for a person with a disability to interact with able-bodied people, it became something of mockery. It lowered my self-esteem.”
That trajectory began to shift when his family relocated to Zimba District, where he encountered Madam Janet Chisupa of the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD), a meeting he describes as life-changing.
“After having a discussion with her, I was motivated and I regained my self-esteem. I came to accept that being a person with a disability is not something that can hinder me from doing what an able-bodied person can do,” he said.
Motivated by this renewed confidence, Mr Chiluti went on to complete his secondary education, obtaining his School Certificate after reaching Form Five.
Today, he serves his second term as the representative for persons with disabilities on the Ward Development Committee (WDC) for Simatobolo Ward in Libuyu township, Livingstone Constituency, a position he was recommended for in 2021.
In this voluntary role, Mr Chiluti has become a key advocate for inclusion, particularly in the utilisation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), one of the government’s main tools for community development.
He has undergone training supported by UNICEF through its partners in community development and social services, equipping him with the skills to effectively represent persons with disabilities in local governance structures.
His advocacy has already yielded tangible results. Among his notable achievements is influencing the construction of accessible public infrastructure in his ward.
He successfully pushed for the inclusion of a ramp in a newly constructed ablution block, ensuring that the facility could be used by everyone, including persons with disabilities.
“When the contractor was building the ablution block, I made sure that a ramp was included to ease access for persons with disabilities,” he said.
“Without a ramp, how do you expect a person with a disability to use such a facility? It would mean the facility is of no use to them.”
Beyond infrastructure, Mr Chiluti has taken steps to empower others in his community. He helped mobilise and establish the Chikondi Club for Persons with Disabilities, a registered group that has since applied for a CDF grant to support its members.
He also plays a direct role in helping persons with disabilities access CDF opportunities, including skills training programmes and bursaries. Recognising that application processes can be complex, he assists applicants in filling out forms and ensures that information reaches those who need it most.
“When opportunities are announced by the local authority, I make sure I sensitise people living with disabilities and share the information with them,” he said.
“I also help them fill in the forms because sometimes they can be technical.”
Despite these efforts, Mr Chiluti acknowledges that stigma and exclusion remain significant barriers. He notes that persons with disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to community responsibilities and are largely absent from political participation.
He is now calling for deliberate and inclusive measures to ensure that persons with disabilities are not sidelined in governance and leadership.
“Let able-bodied people not demean those living with disabilities,” he said.
“We must be given space as a constitutional right to stand and contest in any elective position. Space must be created deliberately so that we also participate.”
Economic challenges further complicate the situation. Mr Chiluti himself dreams of studying information technology, but his ambition has been hindered by financial constraints and eligibility limitations, including the age cap of 35 for CDF-supported skills training programmes.
He has since appealed to well-wishers and stakeholders to provide targeted support that would enable persons with disabilities to acquire relevant skills for the modern economy.
“What limits us as people living with disabilities is finance,” he said.
“If there is deliberate empowerment, it can change lives. My appeal to well-wishers is that, if resources allow, they should support persons with disabilities to access education and skills training.”
His interest in information technology, he says, is driven by the need for self-reliance and effective advocacy.
“Knowledge is power. When you have knowledge, you are able to defend yourself and your rights,” he said.
Away from advocacy, Mr Chiluti is also an entrepreneur. He runs a small restaurant business where he prepares and sells food to customers on order, demonstrating both resilience and determination to build a sustainable livelihood.
Looking ahead, he remains optimistic about the future. With adequate support, he hopes to expand his business, further his education, and continue championing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in his community.
From a childhood overshadowed by stigma to a leadership role in local governance, Mr Chiluti’s stands as a powerful reminder that disability is not inability, but a condition that society must learn to accommodate with dignity, equity, and opportunity.
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