WELCOME TO KANAWA
Kanawa: what´s the meaning?
KANAWA means Great, or Making Something Great a word from Cokwe a local language in Angola spoken in the provinces of Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, and Muxico. The name Kanawa This-Ability shows that even a word that seems to be wrong gives room for creativity, connection, and innovation, and this is what we seek to do through our work.
We strive to be committed to the students we are privileged to serve, in our alumni association, our dedicated, talented faculty and staff. We also take pride in having the most active and helpful group of partners, visionary parents, well-wishers, alumni and friends.
Meet our Founder
Enoque de Carvalho
Enoque de Carvalho: born and raised in Angola, a country that went through almost 40 years of brutal war which ended in 2002, as a consequence, the country is left with thousands of physically disabled people because of landmines, from an early age Enoque faced the challenge of living in an internally displaced where he witnessed the sufferings of landmines victims including his relatives.
His passion for justice and human rights led him to start community development programs on education, and visional arts, digital and technological skills to empower marginalized groups especially physically challenged people, these initiatives gave him connections with international organizations around the world, and in 2023 Enoque was honored to be the very first Angolan selected to join the kanthari International Leadership for Social Change Makers program. This unique program held in Trivandrum India, gave him the right skills and knowledge to start Kanawa This-Ability as it is today. Enoque is committed to making more impact in the lives of his people in Angola, Kanawa Ability is a small contribution to the big efforts put together in Angola to empower people with disabilities and marginalized groups, for him there is more to be done.
Champion School at a Glance
Mission Statement
At Kanawa we envision an Angolan society where people with disabilities are free to move from one place to another and use their professional skills, talents, and knowledge to improve their living conditions, and they should be respected and valued as any human being.
To achieve this vision we have our vocational training program, the curriculum is focused on experiential learning so that our beneficiaries can explore different places and people that once were restricted to them.
Our Core Values
Visibility: everyone has the right to be seen and heard, move out of any type of isolation
Inclusion: we advocate for the right of a human being to participate in all aspects of society, which enhances personal development and dignity.
Accountability: we owe our best version to everyone who works and believes in us. We must take full responsibility for what we do.
Readiness: with the right skills, tools, opportunities, and mindset, any physically impaired can achieve more than what society expects.
Boldness: we believe that courage to face the challenges that turn disability into should not be seen as a problem.
Our Philosophy
We are moved by the principles of human dignity in which every human being has an intrinsic value since its conception. We believe that disability should not be seen as a certification for failure in life but rather as a possibility to explore the limitations to fight social exclusion and stigma. At Kanawa People with disabilities are encouraged to move freely and use their talent and skills to create a mindset shift in society and improve their living conditions.
Our main advantage in fighting stigma is that Angola is yet to see the quality of services, products, talents, and initiatives done by disabled people, once they see and experience the only option will be to give up stigma and social exclusion.