The act considered outstanding by the beneficiaries came on June 13, 2019 from Hon. Edna Enih Mbah S D F Member of Parliament for Momo East.
This
ceremony that bore neither religious nor political coloration saw the Mbengwi
Parliamentarian's office and Resource Center flooded by Muslims, Christians and
natives living with different forms of impairments and disabilities.
Communing
with her fellow people living with special needs, the SDF gatekeeper was able
to identify and have a better appreciation of their needs. Those who have been
involved in economic and entrepreneurial activities were given assistance
according to their line of business and nature of work.
One visually
impaired lady whose business is frying of "puff puff" received a bag
of flour. Meanwhile some three pig farmers were each given three bags of feed
for their pigs as some poultry farmers each carried home a bag of feed for
their fowls. A petit trader, a hairdresser and a cobbler were given cash to buy
befitting tools and goods that would largely contribute in boosting their
activities and fetching for them more
dividends.
From all
indications those of them who were not yet into any income generating
activities were moved. Some promised to join the bandwagon and start up
something helpful and honorable rather than begging and depending on others for
their livelihood especially at this point of an armed conflict when even
physically able people cannot help themselves as they are running away from
bullets.
The MP used
the occasion to admonish and advise them to register in umbrella associations.
Through those associations she noted "their needs and problems could be
well articulated and channeled to the right quarters for address and
sponsors." They were equally encouraged to prepare good projects with well
defined and clearcut objectives.
As the armed
conflict continues showing no signs of stopping any time soon, individuals,
state actors and organizations have been struggling tooth and nail to bring
succour to the suffering masses. Mme Edna Enih in the same spirit has refused
to stand aside and watch how the people of her parliamentary constituency and
community are languishing in pains from the devastating effects of the raging
armed conflict.
Explaining
why she came up with such a project for persons with disabilities, PWDs when
all efforts both nationally and internationally are concentrated and directed
towards the IDPs, the MP for Mbengwi Center rolled out her motivations.
"Even though IDPs are suffering, persons living with special needs bear
double shock," she said. "Internally Displaced Persons can move from
one place to another even though not comfortable, but people living with
special needs attracted my attention because they are unable to move to places
that are peaceful. They are equally unable to do the things they do and have
something to help themselves. For example those of them who rear pigs or fowls
could not go out to get feeds for their animals because of too many shutdowns.
Because of uncertainties, they are unable to go out of their homes because they
don't know what may befall them," she made the narrative
The largesse
from that lawmaker was not limited solely to PWDs who showcased their knowhow
in economic empowerment. Everyone who marked their presence at that event
bagged home at least 5kg of rice.
In fact
their joy knew no bound for several reasons. For the fact that they have got a
platform through which their needs and projects could be tabled to source for
donors was to them a big achievement. Just the camaraderies they shared
together that gave them some form of relief and sense of belonging could not be
undermined.
Mr Agwe Eric
Tata the mouthpiece and President of Mbengwi PWDs found no reason to hide the
joy and gratitude of his peers." Since the outbreak this war, we have been
hearing IDP this, IDP that here and there. But people living with special
abilities have been completely forgotten. We are very grateful to the MP of
Momo East who has thought of people living with special abilities. We thank her
for thinking it was wise for her to come to our aid," he subscribed.
Feedbacks
are expected from those who received special assistance for their farms and
business to permit the protagonist measure the impact and go hunting for more
resources and donors.