As The Engraced Ones, JKS Home, ACCSN, Others Laud Sponsors
Network of Disabled Women distributed Covid-19 relief packages to at least 130 women and girls living with disabilities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Kwara State.
The outreach, done in partnership with Global Affairs Canada and ActionAid Nigeria, the organisers said, was to aid the beneficiaries cushion the economic effects of the pandemic, which has seriously affected the disability community across Nigeria.
Biby Yinkere, Founder and Executive Director of The Engraced Ones, said the intervention couldn’t have come at a better time when many parents of children living with disabilities were finding it hard to cope with the harsh economic realities caused by the pandemic.
“Over the past few months, it has not been easy for parents with children living with special needs, because most of the time even because of the condition of their children, these set of people don’t even go out.
“As for the women, most of them are fully at home, they had to resign their jobs and stay off their businesses because getting house helps for their children has always been a problem.
“So when Covid-19 came, it became like an extra problem because for people who are not even working before and now coupled with the financial situation with the lockdown had been really traumatic,” she said.
She said although some organisations as well as government have been giving palliatives, these set of people have peculiar needs and especially dietary and sanitary needs which often times are not been met.
“But today, this is actually coming to us as a surprise, we got this beautiful package from Global Affairs Canada and ActionAid Nigeria and we are really elated because this will go a long way in the lives of our children and parents. We pray that God will bless the organisations and take them to higher heights,” Yinkere said.
Adding her voice, Nifemi Ajileye, Founder and Executive Director of JKS Home and Autism Centre for Children with Special Needs in Kubwa, Abuja, thanked the sponsors of the Covid-19 relief outreach saying it will go a long way to reduce the economic burden.
“Due to the lockdown, we have had restriction of movement. People are no longer coming around to support us, but with these, it will go a long way and make the work easier. Thank you and God bless you,” she said.
One of the educators in a special needs centre, Mrs. Ngozi Ben-Olisa Joy also thanked the sponsors for the gesture saying that it was timely.
“Thank you ActionAid for coming to our rescue during this period of covid-19. It has really affected us as educators, caregivers, parents and even our children. I’m so grateful at this time that they have come to our rescue, they have come to save homes and assist us and we are grateful for that.
“We are also grateful for our sister, Mrs. Lois Auta-Udonkanta, who deemed it fit to come to us. She called us several times; she was able to mobilize the caregivers and parents to come today to receive this palliative.”
One of the beneficiaries also thanked the sponsors of the relief outreach, noting that many persons within the disability communities have had their means of livelihood affected by the pandemic.
Speaking during the outreach, Mrs Lois Auta-Udonkanta, Chairperson and CEO of Network of Disabled Women said the initiative reached out to 120 beneficiaries in Abuja and 30 beneficiaries in Kwara State.
She thanked Global Affairs Canada and ActionAid Nigeria for their support and contributions to women and children with disabilities.
She was also full of praise for the Board of Trustees of Network of Disabled women saying the success of the outreach wouldn’t have been achieved without their passion and cooperation.
“For Network of Disabled Women amazing staff and volunteers, your commitment, diligence, resilience and smart work will give you a heavenly response. Abrahamic blessings are yours.
“To all the beneficiaries, there won’t be any story or report to write without you. Thank you for being part of our successful story,” she said.
Photos:
Abuja women group
Kwara women group
