Goto main content

"I'm a living manifestation of possibility": HI ambassador Eddie Ndopu

Inclusion Rights
International United Kingdom

Eddie Ndopu, the new ambassador of Humanity & Inclusion UK, talks to the Guardian Development podcast 'Small Changes' about his dream to break down stigma around disability.

Eddie Ndopu, the new ambassador of Humanity & Inclusion UK

© Eddie Ndopu

Meet Eddie Ndopu, acclaimed disability activist and Humanity & Inclusion UK's new ambassador.

Eddie was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy when he was two years old. His mother was told he wouldn’t live past five.

But he defied the doctors and now, aged 27, he insists that no child with a disability should be left behind.:

"About 90% of children with disabilities across the developing world have no access to education, and I could have easily been one of those statistics - that could have been my life."
Eddie Ndopu, Humanity & Inclusion UK ambassador.


Instead, Eddie became the first African with a disability to graduate from Oxford University. And now aims to be the first wheelchair user in space.
 

"As people with disabilities we want access to joy, we want access to dignity. The ramp is great, but it's not enough. We want the whole building, we don’t just want the ramp!"

Listen to the podcast on the Guardian website

COUNTRIES

Where we work

Read more

"There is a reason landmines were banned. And it hasn’t changed."
© Tom Nicholson / HI
Explosive weapons

"There is a reason landmines were banned. And it hasn’t changed."

On International Mine Awareness Day 2025, George Graham, Chief Executive of Humanity & Inclusion UK, explains why we should be celebrating the lives saved by the Mine Ban Treaty and redoubling our commitment to the fight against mines.

In Uganda, Promise is now living life like any other child
© I. Aguta / HI
Inclusion Rehabilitation

In Uganda, Promise is now living life like any other child

Because of an untreated fracture, Promise lived through years of pain. Thanks to Humanity & Inclusion, he can now go to school and play with the other children.

Introducing our new Chair, Chloe Marshall
© HI
Event

Introducing our new Chair, Chloe Marshall

As Chair of Humanity & Inclusion UK, Chloe will guide us in continuing our vital work supporting disabled and vulnerable people worldwide.

FOLLOW US