Persons living with disability continue to face ridicule and tribulation in the local communities and this is a contributory aspect to being restricted from the acquisition of basic social services.
“My life was filled with dire struggles as I tried to make ends meet daily. I sometimes had to live at the mercy of benevolent individuals who made small commitments towards my welfare, but this was never enough to cater for my needs until I was privileged to be enrolled in the NBU project. Before that, the community never made it any easier for people of my kind to survive as we are constantly faced with reproaches.”
Bearing in mind the vulnerability of persons with disability, the NBU project targeted these individuals and made special reservations to cater for their training needs in terms of securing appropriate venues of convenience to accommodate their challenges.
Today, people like Abdul are self-employed and able to provide for their daily needs and those of their families.
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“After passing an interview process, I was trained for six (6) months and taken through a series of soft skills trainings for a duration during which I was exposed to good business skills and strategies to grow my brand. Proper bookkeeping, savings and customer relations are the secret to my business growth today”- he said.
Abdul received an industrial machine from the NBU project, and this has gone a long way to boost his business in different aspects as he no longer has to commute long distances to town in a bid to produce his local slippers and sandals at high fees.
Contributing his quota to community development, he has opened his doors to train five (5) vulnerable young people in the community. This was initially done for free however he admitted that subsequent trainees were made to pay small instalments which were used to purchase materials and tools for their training sessions.
“By collecting these small fees to buy the materials and tools needed for their training, it has fostered a sense of commitment on the path of trainees. I am determined to help more young people improve their livelihoods by engaging them in this shoemaking business because I believe that we all have a role to play to community development. It starts with you and me”- he said.
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Today, Abdul makes an estimate of Gh¢500 on a weekly basis he has plans to expand his business in the near future to accommodate large numbers of trainees.