Location: UGANDA
At the heart of the West Acholi Spinal Injuries Association (WASIA) lies a vision of empowerment, inclusion, and resilience. Through the project Promoting Adaptive Sports for Persons with Spinal Cord Injury in Northern Uganda, the organization has been transforming how disability and community engagement intersect. By introducing adaptive sports such as basketball and boccia, WASIA has opened doors for individuals with spinal cord injuries to rediscover their physical potential and strengthen their sense of belonging.
“We wanted to create a space where ability could be celebrated, where everyone, regardless of disability, could feel the joy of movement and participation,” shared Ben Kilama, the project’s coordinator.
The Impact of the Seed Grant
Support from The Pollination Project served as a catalyst for this change. With the Bridge Grant, WASIA was able to rehabilitate a basketball court, repair 14 sports wheelchairs, and provide new sets of sports equipment, initiatives that directly improved the lives of more than 250 people. The renewed facilities became a symbol of inclusion and possibility, enabling over 60 persons with disabilities to engage in regular sports and social activities.
“What started as a small dream has become a movement of hope,” said Kilama. “The Pollination Project grant didn’t just fund equipment, it reignited confidence, dignity, and social participation.”
Beyond sports, the project promoted community awareness around disability rights and health, especially for women living with physical impairments who found renewed purpose through teamwork and physical activity. These outcomes reflect the power of compassion-driven funding to transform not just individuals, but entire communities.
The Future
Encouraged by the progress, WASIA is preparing for the next chapter: expanding adaptive sports programs and advocating for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in competitive arenas such as the Paralympics. The team envisions a society where physical and mental health are accessible to all and where women and men with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate and lead. Through continued advocacy, training, and collaboration, WASIA aims to nurture a new generation of athletes who embody resilience and redefine what it means to thrive after injury. As this initiative grows, its legacy stands as a testament to how a single act of generosity from The Pollination Project can ignite lasting empowerment and health within an entire community.
Since i became part of TPP, my project have moved milestones. What started as a little dream has been turned into a big change in the community. We never imagined that persons with disabilities can at one time have the rights and avenue to fully and meaningfully participate in the community they leave in.
Ben Kilama
Ben Kilama is the Managing Director of the West Acholi Spinal Injuries Association (WASIA) and a Grant Advisor with The Pollination Project. He is dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities, especially those with spinal cord injuries, through mentorship, training, and access to mobility and medical support. In addition to his leadership at WASIA, he works with Light for the World as a Disability Inclusion Facilitator, advancing inclusive land rights and food security under the “We Are Able!” project. Guided by a deep passion for service, Ben believes in using his experience to uplift his community and support changemakers around the world.
Join The Pollination Project in seeding a global movement of grassroots change. When we invest in passionate local leaders, small acts of generosity blossom into lasting impact. Every dollar you give takes root in communities, growing into sustainable solutions that touch countless lives.
