In addition to her advocacy work with eepdAfrica, Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie G’20 currently serves as an independent living coordinator at the Vermont Center for Independent Living. Photo by Sally McCay, 2019.
Building a Future for Students with Disabilities
For some students, a scholarship award is a gift of opportunity. Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie G’20, who earned her PhD in Education Leadership and Policy Studies last year, is a two-time recipient of the Sarah and Brenna Nelinson Defining Excellence Award, established in 2013 by Don Nelinson ’76. The award, given annually to a UVM student with a disability in recognition of their service to the community, allowed Komabu-Pomeyie to devote more of her attention to the advocacy work she has done around the globe for children, women, and people with disabilities.
At eight years old in Ghana, Komabu-Pomeyie was diagnosed with polio after being administered an expired vaccination. The disease and a subsequent injury left her unable to walk and subject to ridicule and inadequate school facilities. “I was a victim of cultural stigma and marginalization, but I am a survivor now,” says Komabu-Pomeyie. “I have to give back to the community. I never want any child with disability go through the pains I went through.” In 2012 Komabu-Pomeyie founded a non-profit, Enlightening and Empowering People with Disabilities in Africa (eepdAfrica), that analyzes policies, creates awareness, and advocates and influences change in favor of people with disabilities in Africa.
Through eepdAfrica, Komabu-Pomeyie is working on her most ambitious project yet: building an inclusive school in Ghana. Komabu-Pomeyie envisions accessible buildings, inclusive curricula, and specialized teachers who are trained in the needs of students with disabilities. Twenty acres of undeveloped land sit vacant in Nsawam, waiting for beams to rise and ramps to be built that will carry local students with disabilities into a place of acceptance and achievement. “This project is all that I dream about,” said Komabu-Pomeyie. “For every child with disability to have equal access to education and become productive one day.”
In addition to her advocacy work with eepdAfrica, Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie G’20 currently serves as an independent living coordinator at the Vermont Center for Independent Living. Photo by Sally McCay, 2019.
Building a Future for Students with Disabilities
For some students, a scholarship award is a gift of opportunity. Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie G’20, who earned her PhD in Education Leadership and Policy Studies last year, is a two-time recipient of the Sarah and Brenna Nelinson Defining Excellence Award, established in 2013 by Don Nelinson ’76. The award, given annually to a UVM student with a disability in recognition of their service to the community, allowed Komabu-Pomeyie to devote more of her attention to the advocacy work she has done around the globe for children, women, and people with disabilities.
At eight years old in Ghana, Komabu-Pomeyie was diagnosed with polio after being administered an expired vaccination. The disease and a subsequent injury left her unable to walk and subject to ridicule and inadequate school facilities. “I was a victim of cultural stigma and marginalization, but I am a survivor now,” says Komabu-Pomeyie. “I have to give back to the community. I never want any child with disability go through the pains I went through.” In 2012 Komabu-Pomeyie founded a non-profit, Enlightening and Empowering People with Disabilities in Africa (eepdAfrica), that analyzes policies, creates awareness, and advocates and influences change in favor of people with disabilities in Africa.
Through eepdAfrica, Komabu-Pomeyie is working on her most ambitious project yet: building an inclusive school in Ghana. Komabu-Pomeyie envisions accessible buildings, inclusive curricula, and specialized teachers who are trained in the needs of students with disabilities. Twenty acres of undeveloped land sit vacant in Nsawam, waiting for beams to rise and ramps to be built that will carry local students with disabilities into a place of acceptance and achievement. “This project is all that I dream about,” said Komabu-Pomeyie. “For every child with disability to have equal access to education and become productive one day.”
Komabu-Pomeyie receives the Defining Excellence Award. Front row: Komabu-Pomeyie and her son Edonusem Pomeyie. Back row (left to right): Don Nelinson ’76; Nate Gondelman ’09, G’16 and Sharon Mone of UVM Student Accessibility Services. Photo courtesy of Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie G’20.
