Yola: An NGO, Debbie Kauna Foundation (DKF), has empowered no fewer than 306 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Adamawa with business start-up kits. This initiative was revealed by Dr. Olaniyi Aderibigbe, Project Analyst at UN Women, during the completion of a three-month vocational training for the participants from Michika and Madagali Local Government Areas.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organised by DKF with funding from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and technical support from UN Women Nigeria. The beneficiaries were selected based on their vulnerability and potential for growth. Michika and Madagali were chosen due to the high number of displaced women and girls with disabilities.
The programme empowered 253 women and 53 men, including young girls and boys, with the aim of promoting protection, dignity, and economic empowerment for PwDs. The women were not only trained but also paired with mentors to ensure they stay on track after receiving their kits. The goal is to help them become resilient and support themselves and their families.
Mrs. Deborah Bubwa, Founder of DKF, stated that the women were allowed to pick skills practical for their local environment. Each woman chose a skill she could perform without stress and that would sell in her community. The training included skills such as tailoring, backyard gardening, poultry farming, tie and dye, shoemaking, rice processing, and livestock management.
Bubwa explained that the foundation’s team spent six weeks identifying and profiling the right beneficiaries across the two LGAs. Following the screening, women received entrepreneurship training focused on accessing micro-loans and managing small businesses. The start-up kits, provided as free grants under the NHF, came with the opening of bank accounts for each beneficiary. They were also assigned mentors and would continue to receive support.
“Our mission is to empower women and girls with disabilities so they can stop begging and start living dignified lives like everyone else,” said Bubwa.
Hauwa Vandu, a beneficiary from Shuwa in Madagali LGA, expressed gratitude to the foundation for the opportunity, stating that the training had significantly changed her life. “I used to think nobody saw me. Now I know I matter and am happy that despite my disability I can live a productive life,” she said.
The event concluded with the distribution of start-up kits to the beneficiaries.
