Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN), in collaboration with Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) just drew a befitting close to the year in a grand styled End of Year Party.
The event, tagged: “Deafway Party”, besides aiming to bring together deaf women and girls across the FCT to celebrate achievements during the year, also had empowerment motives.
In an opening remark, erstwhile President of DWAN, Deaconess Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase popularly known as “Mama Deaf” expressed her happiness at the opportunity to meet and be around deaf women and girls in the spirit of oneness. She prayed for the success of the event.
Mr. Lawrence Idemudia, Director, Social Integration, National Commission for Persons with Disability, NCPWD, commended the efforts put together by Mama Deaf who spearheaded the formation and establishment of DWAN since its inception in 2001. He praised her for the seeds she planted which have grown and are still growing.
The Director encouraged Deaf women to look up to Mama Deaf and other learned elders in the community and learn from them. He prayed DWAN continue to live long, saying “if DWAN dies, the hope and future of Nigerian Deaf women will die.”
During the empowerment session, four deaf women were beneficiaries of different kind of support. While Mercy Adebayo and Blessing Ikwueze, received one grinding machine each, Fibi Bitrus was empowered with a sewing machine and Bethel Onyilo got a 50kg bag of Prime Flour for her catering business.
Chairperson of DWAI/DWAN, Hellen Beyioku-Alase urged beneficiaries to make good use of the materials given to them as they will be monitored to know how well they are utilizing the empowerment opportunity.
She advised the women against selling the empowerment tools, adding that it’s a big crime to sell these materials given them freely by the organization.
Highlight of the get-together event was the presentation of gifts to some nominated members of the association whose contributions had brought positive changes and growth. They were duly recognized to encourage them and others to do more.