15 Kids to 100,000: How Kupenda Scales Disability Inclusion Through Others

<p><b>Transforming Attitudes and Building Communities: How Kupenda Promotes Disability Inclusion and Breaks Down Stigma</b> <i> </i></p><p></p><p>Cynthia Bauer of Kupenda shares her journey from wildlife biology to leading a global movement against disability stigma. Learn how strategic partnerships, grassroots work, and smart measurement tools drive lasting change worldwide.</p><p></p><p><b>In this episode:</b></p><ul><li>Cindy's story and Kupenda's origins</li></ul><ul><li>How disability stigma is rooted in cultural beliefs</li><li>Scaling impact through local partner organizations</li><li>Key partnerships (World Hope International, World Relief)</li><li>Faith and community leaders' role in reducing stigma</li><li>Fundraising lessons: skip capital campaigns, build long-term relationships</li><li>Measuring impact, from workshops to community ripple effects</li><li>Lessons from unsuccessful initiatives like teacher training</li><li>Integrating disability into development and social justice</li><li>How philanthropic funding is allocated today<p></p></li></ul><p><b>Timestamps:</b></p><p>00:00 - Intro to Cynthia and Kupenda</p><p>00:21 - Cindy's story, discovering stigma in Kenya</p><p>01:36 - Kupenda's accidental founding</p><p>02:55 - From basic aid to root causes</p><p>03:34 - Faith and community leaders shifting beliefs</p><p>04:36 - What Kupenda does today; meaning of the name</p><p>05:57 - Engaging influencers for inclusion</p><p>06:27 - Scaling via local partnerships</p><p>07:37 - Early fundraising, hiring a development director</p><p>09:14 - Government/foundation funding &amp; measurement</p><p>10:53 - Demonstrating impact through studies, stories</p><p>11:46 - Lessons from teacher-training setbacks</p><p>12:28 - Influencing others without direct implementation</p><p>13:03 - Building disability-inclusive development models</p><p>14:19 - Partnerships in Sierra Leone and Malawi</p><p>15:56 - Reach: working with 27+ organizations</p><p>16:51 - Storytelling and communicating impact</p><p>18:02 - Measuring stigma reduction, transformation</p><p>22:27 - Case story: a mother and her children</p><p>23:45 - Lessons from failed quick fixes, segregated education</p><p>26:01 - Fundraising pitfalls: capital campaigns, one-off events</p><p>28:51 - Mindset shift during crises like COVID-19</p><p>29:20 - Cindy's vision for Kupenda's next decade</p><p>31:09 - Disability as a shared development lens</p><p>32:52 - State of philanthropic giving to disability causes</p><p>33:33 - Impact of shifting perceptions, systemic inclusion</p><p>34:16 - How to connect with Cynthia and Kupenda</p><p></p><p><b>Resources &amp; Links:</b></p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thekiposgroup.com/" target="_blank">The Kipos Group Website</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thekiposgroup.com/schedule-your-call-with-james/" target="_blank">Schedule a Discovery Call with James</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmisner/" target="_blank">Connect with James Misner on Linkedin</a><p></p></li></ul><p><b>Connect with Cindy:</b></p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://kupenda.org/" target="_blank">Kupenda Official Website</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://kupenda.org/documentary/" target="_blank">Documentary: Climbing Kilimanjaro with Kids with Disabilities</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://kupenda.org/podcast/" target="_blank">Unlikely Gifts Podcast</a> </li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-bauer-5246463/" target="_blank">Connect with Cynthia Bauer on Linkedin</a></li></ul>