Asabe Yewa is a woman with physical disability from Garkawa in Mikang local government of Plateau state. She became a person with disability when she was thirteen years, as result of a certain illness. She hails from a family of five Children, she lost her parents when she was young. She married and God have blessed marriage with two children.
In an interview with our correspondents, Bulus Izang and Joshua Yenle, she spoke about her education, family and what she is doing to earn a living.
TQM. Were you privileged to have formal education?
I started my primary school at Tekan primary school here in Garkawa, up to class five, but could not complete it because we lost our parents and I could not get anyone to continue paying for my education.
TQM. What work are you doing for a living?
I am selling fire wood and sometimes I do buy, cooked and sale goat’s or cow meat.
TQM. How did you get to start this business you are doing?
One of my friends link me up with the fire wood supplier, who supplies me with the woods and I pay him when I finished selling them, then he will bring another one for me.
TQM. Are your children schooling?
Yes, they are all schooling.
TQM. Who is sponsoring their education?
I and their father.
TQM. Is your husband a person with disability?
No he is not a person with any disability.
TQM. What work is he doing?
He is a farmer.
TQM. What is your experience with regards to discrimination on basis of your disability, either at home or in the community?
I have discrimination from people outside, they usually attached cripple to my name, which I don’t like.
TQM. How then do you respond, In situation like this?
If what they want at that time is my attention. I just do pretend as if, I did not hear them and when they finally do get me attention, I don’t fail to put on an expression on my face that would communicate to them that I am not happy with the way they address me.
TQM. What have been the result of such action of yours?
Some have gotten the message and have stopped the name calling, while others have not, they continue doing so with the intention of provoking me to anger. Persons with disabilities are human beings, we deserve respect as well.
TQM. You have a business of selling fire woods, have you ever received any assistance from any place to increase your business, may be the government?
No.
TQM. What is your appeal for assistance to any person that is reading your story?
I need financial assistance so that I can increase my business. this will give me a better position to pay for my children’s education and to enable me to have a better standard of living.
TQM. Thank you for having time for us, TQM is wishing you the very best in life.
Thank you.
