Disability not an excuse to turn beggar – Foundation

The Hope Builders, a foundation for the physically challenged, has advised people living with disabilities not to see their condition as an excuse to turn a beggar.

Rather, the foundation said PWDs can leverage their condition to be productive and contribute to the economic development of society.

The PWDs were advised during the foundation’s Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises Day with Disability with the theme, “Leveraging the Power and Resilience of MSMES to Accelerate Sustainable Development and Eradicate Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises.”

The event had PWDs in attendance as they got trained on business pitches, skills, and strategies on Thursday in Mushin,Lagos.

According to the founder of Hope Builder, Christiana Akinrinmade, the foundation aims to correct the narrative about PWDs by showcasing  their innovative and productive sides.

She also inspired the physically challenged with her growth and accomplishments in entrepreneurship despite being visually impaired.

“We are creating awareness that when you are disabled, it is not an excuse to be a beggar. We want to change the narrative about people living with disabilities, that we are not a liability but an asset.

“We impact people living with individuals and also contribute to the growth of the economy. We promote SME and entrepreneurial spirit in PWD because our challenges are not a weakness.”

Akinrinmade said losing her sight had not deterred her from making a success of her life.

She said, “When I lost my sight, I thought it was the end of my education and life, but I discovered that my disability made me contribute to society. Being visually impaired is not a limitation; there is nothing I cannot do.

“When I produce something with my hands , I ask people if it is beautiful; the secret is just that I apply my intellect to create these products. The society is not inclusive for us, so this scheme is to empower PWD to unlock their potential.

“We are calling on the government, agencies, philanthropists, and non-governmental organisations to come to our aid. I want them to come in so they can see how to assist us, their support goes beyond financial assistance. We make use of other senses to learn skills,” Akinrinmade said.

Motunrayo Miranda, a co-founder of the foundation, stated that the team’s vision was to empower those who are physically challenged and make life meaningful for them.

She said over 3000 PWDs had been trained in food, cosmetics, household, tie and dye, shoes, fashion, and converting waste products like tyres to make center tables.

Miranda said, “We make them create from things around them with their hands. We educate them on capacity building, life experiences, and how they can use their other senses to create things. Entrepreneurship can help us out of the crisis in this nation.

“This narrative about being disabled can change if we inspire them and help with their mindset, so we need people and teachers to join us because it will go a long way. At this point, the intervention of the government is needed. We need a hub where these people can come together, educational tools, and digital technologies that can also help us grow.”

The Mushin Local Government Area Chairman, Emmanuel Bamigboye, who was represented by Farounbi, hinted that the leadership of the LGA was planning a partnership with the Lagos State Waste Management Agency Academy to provide internship programs on recycling for PWD.

“I will remind the LGA chairman of the proposed partnership with LAWMA Academy for recycling training, he once talked about it. We want to look towards empowering the disabled, so we will focus on your strength and deploy you to where you can cope.

“The agenda is to include PWD in his administration, that is why we are processing the partnership with LAWMA Academy, so we will select some of you to do an internship there.”