PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AND OTHER VULNERABLE PERSON SERVICES
PWD and other VULNERABLE PERSON SERVICES
Persons living with disabilities (PWD) are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even under normal circumstances, such persons have less access education, healthcare and income opportunities. In Nigeria very little effort is being made to meeting their communication needs and when the Government makes such effort, it is usually an urban-based affair which does not extend to rural communities. Access to timely information is critical for inclusion in the various palliative efforts being organized by Government.
Fantsuam Foundation has appointed a Coordinator of its Disability Services to ensure that all the organizations’ services are inclusive and democratic, ensuring the voices of PWDs are acknowledged and their rights recognized and promoted.
The areas of inclusive development activities in Fantsuam Foundation are Education through Digital Literacy, Economic Empowerment through the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), Health Advocacy and Social Protection.
A growing problem which Fantsuam is now working on is vulnerable out of school children. In 2024, it was estimated that Kaduna State has 23,249 children out of school. The care of these children has to be holistic in order to reduce their vulnerability. They require nutrition, healthcare, clothing, housing and education. Within this population of out of school children (OOSC) are the Special Education Needs Children (SEN). We do what we can within our resources for all these children.
The Digital literacy program was recently funded by 48percent.org and 50 persons living with disabilities had capacity building and provided smartphones.
The VSLA group at Kaduna State Rehabilitation Centre
