In commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) 2024, the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), has trained 300 students of special education center Bauchi and equipped their skills acquisition center with modern working equipment and tools.
The 300 students of the special education center were trained on various vocational skills as part WOFAN’s life changing strategies for PWDs.
This initiative under the WOFAN ICON-2 project, is carried out in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
It aligns with the Foundation’s We Can Work program, aimed at supporting 1 million persons with disabilities (PWDs) across seven African nations including Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.
This effort is a vital element of the broader Mastercard Foundation Young Africa Works Strategy, which aspires to create dignified and meaningful work opportunities for 30 million young people throughout Africa.
The Intervention in Bauchi, directly targets 300 students at the Bauchi Special Education School, equipping them with the necessary training, skills, and resources to pursue dignified employment opportunities.
During the event, Alhaji Lawan Ahmad, Durumin Bauchi and Sarkin Birshi, commended WOFAN’s founder, Hajiya Dr. Salamatu Garba, for her visionary leadership and her efforts in connecting various communities to agricultural empowerment and livelihood training.
He emphasized the importance of this timely intervention, stating that it would enable students at the special education school to acquire essential skills that foster self-reliance and combat unemployment.
Alhaji Ahmad also noted WOFAN’s past contributions to the school, including the construction of restrooms and a borehole between 2008 and 2009.
In recognition of her commitment, he honored Hajiya Dr. Salamatu with the traditional title of Jarumar Birshi, celebrating her as a figure of “hard work, resilience, and generosity towards the vulnerable.”
He encouraged students to fully engage in their skills training and urged the school administration to ensure the effective use and sustainability of the resources provided.
Bulus Manzo, the WOFAN cluster representative for Das Local Government Area, highlighted that the WOFAN ICON-2 project has played a significant role in empowering PWDs, helping to diminish street begging.
He pointed out that PWDs in the community benefitted from food production efforts, saying that “WOFAN has prprovided farmland, seeds, fertilizers, tractors, and all essential agricultural inputs.”
A staff of UBA Bank in Bauchi, Mr. John Abiabangbee outlined the requirements for beneficiaries to open bank accounts, thereby facilitating their access to financial services.
Paradigm News reports that, as part of the commemoration of the IDPD by WOFAN, PWDs in Sharada Community Kano Municipal Local Government Area also received 40 tricycles and three modified motorbikes to enhance their mobility and foster independence.