Don’t Dis My Ability: Giving Persons with Disability a Stage
The Great Walpoleans is an inclusive rock band and creative arts group based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa. We use dance, drama, and music as tools for advocacy, raising awareness and breaking barriers for persons with disabilities (PwDs). Our close partner and co-founder is OneFamilyPeople, a local human rights organisation th
at supports and advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone. Reflected in our sloganeering ‘Don’t Dis my Ability,’ we strive to transform the lives of PwDs by Breaking Down Barriers and change negative mindsets across Sierra Leone and the world at large. Our History
Our name comes from Walpole Street, Freetown, where our band was founded in 2008 after activists and founders of OneFamilyPeople, Edward Emmanuel and Hadiatou Diallo, met the talented singer Abu Bakar Sidiki a.k.a. They began to compose advocacy material together, catalysing our group of PwDS to explore their musical talents. Using homemade instruments, we shared our stories of adversity, triumph and survival through live performance. Since then, we may have acquired proper instruments, more members and recognition as a band, but our message remains the same. Our Work
We work with various organisations to improve participation of PwDs in their work and society and organise performances across Sierra Leone and beyond for events including the commemoration of UN promoted international days. We released our first advocacy self-written songs in 2011 with ‘Breaking down All Barriers’ and ‘Don’t Dis my Ability.’ Our other work includes:
• ‘No Touching Body’ featuring the Minister of Social Welfare, Hon. Baindu Dassama and Estar Mykel Arkman, to
sensitise the public to COVID-19
• The ‘Leave No Behind’ album campaign which demands an end to discrimination against PwDs
• ‘All Rise Against Ebola,’ a song combined with drama to educate about the symptoms and measures against Ebola
• A weeklong concert in collaboration with UN women and OneFamilyPeople to raise awareness of women’s rights and gender-based violence
We are also contracted to produce jingles and perform in workshop seminars, launching of projects, private parties, and weddings. Our hope is to travel across the world, hold live concert with global celebrities, showcase our talents and tell our story. Work With Us
If you would like to enquire about booking us for performances, collaborations, or any further information, please get in touch using our telephone, email, or visiting OneFamilyPeople at 25A Main Motor Road, Freetown.
