NGO trains 100 physically challenged persons

physically-challenged-person

No fewer than 100 physically challenged persons in Enugu and Anambra States have been trained on repair of mobile phones by an NGO, South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO).

The Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs Grace Nwobodo, made the disclosure on Sunday in Enugu.

She said that SSDO, based in Enugu, was founded to engender development in all sectors of the economy.

Nwobodo said that the organisation was moved by the increasing number of physically challenged on the streets who had taken to begging as a means of livelihood.

She said that the officials of the organisation decided to engage the physically challenged especially those of them who could not make use of their legs to take them off the streets.

She said that after the training, the beneficiaries were given startup kits to start their business.

She added that the beneficiaries were now in various markets across the two states fixing phones for their customers.

“Right now they have stopped begging people and relations for assistance; they now earn their own money and cater for themselves; some of them earn to N10, 000 a week repairing mobile phones.

“People think the physically challenged are useless; but when you work with them, you find out that they are among the most intelligent and creative,” she said.

Nwobodo said that SSDO had embarked on several programmes, including good governance empowerment for secondary school students in the South-East.

She said that under the programme, 200 students were trained on democratic norms and civic engagement.

“We decided to sensitise the youths on the need to be encouraged and willing to engage government on matters that affect their lives.

“We went round the South-Eastern states spreading the word among our young ones that civic engagement is necessary if citizens are to derive the benefits from democracy,” she said.

The executive director said it was necessary to create an open society where people should be free to express themselves and hold their elected officials accountable for their deeds or misdeeds.

She said: “we have had a lot of positive response from the students and they were excited that we empowered them in that direction.

“Our youths need to dialogue with their parents and teachers; they need to be encouraged to speak up about what is going wrong and make sure we have development in our communities.

“It is only when people begin to speak up and advocate for their rights that we will see real development.”