Eddie Ndopu becomes Humanity & Inclusion’s ambassador

Eddie Ndopu, the internationally acclaimed, award-winning activist and humanitarian from South Africa became the new ambassador of the charity Humanity & Inclusion UK, working in a global capacity.  

Eddie’s support focuses on one of the organisation’s main pillars which is the rights of children with disabilities living in developing countries.

"I am beyond delighted to join Humanity & Inclusion as the Nobel Peace Prize Winning organisation's newest Global Ambassador.  From being rejected by countless mainstream schools when I was a little disabled boy eager to get a regular education in the late nineties to now serving as HI's Ambassador for the educational rights of millions of children with disabilities throughout the world, this appointment is nothing short of a full circle moment for me.” said Eddie.

Aleema Shivji, Executive director of Humanity & Inclusion UK said: “At Humanity & Inclusion we are very honoured and thrilled to welcome Eddie Ndopu as our new Ambassador. There is no question that Eddie will be an amazing advocate for the rights of the children with disabilities we are supporting everyday worldwide and will help us ensure that no disabled child is left behind.”

Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at birth, Eddie's doctors predicated that he wouldn't live beyond the age of five. Today Eddie is 28. Not only has he defied his prognosis, he has gone on to break down barriers and achieve the extraordinary. Having recently been dubbed by MTV as one of the most powerful disabled people on the planet, and with an advocacy career that spans more than a decade, Eddie is determined to advocate for the 32 million children with disabilities in the world who are not able to access education.

“It is not lost on me that had it not been for the people in my life who advocated for me, I too, like the overwhelming majority of children with disabilities living in developing countries, would have never seen the inside of a classroom. I owe it to them and I owe it to humanity as a whole to use my voice, a voice that has taken me my entire life to cultivate, to amplify the voices of disabled and vulnerable communities everywhere.”

Eddie has his sights set on making history in outer Space. He is joining forces with the United Nations on a ground-breaking campaign to address the UN General Assembly from the edge of the planet, as the first wheelchair-user in Space. Through a live broadcast from outer space to the UN Headquarters, Eddie seeks to push for concerted action around disability justice and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development under the rallying cry to leave no one behind. 

“There is little doubt in my mind that the next generation of geniuses, visionaries, icons and leaders will be the faces of the children with disabilities HI currently supports and advocates for. It is therefore my profound honour to build on HI's ground-breaking work and help develop this next generation in my capacity as Ambassador.” he adds.

Notes

Pictures of Eddie Ndopu available upon request

Press contact

Marlene Sigonney, Humanity & Inclusion UK
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)870 774 3737

About Humanity & Inclusion

Co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Humanity & Inclusion (the new name of Handicap International) is a charity working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work tirelessly alongside disabled and vulnerable people to help meet their basic needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.