Debbie Kauna Foundation (DKF), a non-governmental organisation, has empowered no fewer than 306 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with business start-up kits.
Dr Olaniyi Aderibigbe, Project Analyst, UN Women, disclosed this at the completion of three months vocational training, in Michika and Madagali LGAs of Adamawa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by Debbie Kauna Foundation, with funding from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and technical support from the UN Women Nigeria.
Aderibigbe, said the beneficiaries were selected based on their vulnerability and potential for growth.
“Michika and Madagali were selected because of the high number of displaced women and girls with disabilities.
“We empowered 253 women and 53 men including young girls and boys aimed at promoting protection, dignity and economic empowerment for the PWDs.
“The women were not only trained but also paired with mentors to ensure they stay on track after receiving their kits.
“We want them to be resilient and support themselves and their families,” he said
Mrs Deborah Bubwa, Founder, Debbie Kauna Foundation, said the women were allowed to pick the skills they found most practical in their local environment.
“Each woman told us what they could do without stress and what would sell in their community.
“Each beneficiary was trained in a skill of her choice including tailoring, backyard gardening, poultry farming.
“Others are tie and dye, shoemaking, rice processing and livestock management,”she said.
Bubwa said the foundation’s team spent six weeks moving from house to house across the two LGAs to identify and profile the right beneficiaries.
She said after the screening excercise, the women received entrepreneurship training with a focus on accessing micro-loans and managing small businesses.
The start-up kits, according to Bubwa, are free grants under the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund adding that the foundation opened bank accounts for each of the beneficiaries.
She said each of the beneficiaries were assigned mentors, trained for three months and would continue to receive the needed support.
“Our mission is to empower women and girls with disabilities so they can stop begging and start living dignified lives like everyone else,” she added.
Hauwa Vandu, a beneficiary from Shuwa, in Madagali, praised the foundation for such a rare opportunity saying the training had changed her life tremendously.
“I used to think nobody sees me. Now I know I matter, I am happy that despite my disability, I can live a productive life.” she said.
Highlight of the event was distribution of start-upkits for the beneficiaries.