An NGO, Debbie Kauna Foundation (DKF), on Saturday, empowered no fewer than 306 Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) with business start-up kits in Adamawa.

Olaniyi Aderibigbe, project analyst, UN Women, disclosed this at the completion of three months of vocational training for the participants from Michika and Madagali areas of Adamawa.

The event was organised by DKF, with funding from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and technical support from the UN Women Nigeria.

Mr Aderibigbe said the beneficiaries were selected based on their vulnerability and potential for growth.

“Michika and Madagali LGAs 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 PLWDs.

“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.

Deborah Bubwa, founder DKF, 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, and poultry farming.

“Others are tie and dye, shoemaking, rice processing and livestock management,” she said.

Ms 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 exercise, the women received entrepreneurship training with a focus on accessing microloans and managing small businesses.

The start-up kits, according to Ms Bubwa, are free grants under the NHF, adding that the foundation opened bank accounts for each of the beneficiaries.

She said each of the beneficiaries was 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 said.

Hauwa Vandu, a beneficiary from Shuwa, in Madagali LGA, praised the foundation for such a rare opportunity,  saying the training had changed her life tremendously.

“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 highlight of the event was the distribution of start-up kits for the beneficiaries.

(NAN)