It was an important day for both of them when Yasin Wame met George Banda (Director of Kuthandiza Osayenda Disability Outreach (KODO)) in 1998. George was working hard to serve the needs of people with physical handicaps, and Yasin had one. Yasin had been born disabled, and his disability affected both his back and his legs. In spite of his problems Yasin was able to attend school up to standard five when he had to drop out because his parents could no longer afford the school fees. He was then trained in tailoring by the "Malawi Council for the Handicapped", but again he was unable to move forward when the program was unable to accomplish its goals, as there were not enough funds for the program to support him and improve his skills.
When Yasin met George he found a home. It was not a place where he could receive, but a place where he could give. Since he was from the Kapira
Village in the Salima District, Yasin was able to begin assisting George to assist others with disabilities. He has been there ever since, teaching, assisting, encouraging.
The old adage is true: "I complained that I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." It is pretty hard to complain after you have watched George and Yasin helping the disabled. It appears they no longer realize that they both also suffer from disabilities that would make others grow discouraged and quit.
Yasin is seen in the left of this picture showing a young woman how to repair a bicycle rim.