Milak Dashe is a lady with physical disability from Kwalla in Qua’an Pan local government of plateau state. She was not born with disability; She became a person with disability as a result of polio which affected her when she was a child. She was born into a family of fifty-six (56) children. Her father married to fifteen wives.
In this interview conducted by Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle, she spoke about her life as a women with disabilities.
TQM. Were you privileged to go to school as a child?
No, my father is of the view, that education do spoil children especially female children.
TQM. Were you the only one among the fifty-six children of your father that was not able to go to school?
Almost all of us were denied of education. Our father believes in farming with little or no space for formal education.
TQM. Is Milak married?
I got married sometimes ago, but my husband was maltreating over and over again, so it lead to a divorce between us. Even though several attempt was made to reconcile us but we couldn’t get back. The marriage produced a male child. I later met another man, we become lovers and I had a male child with him three years ago. The first son is with his father, while the second son is with me in my parent’s house where I am staying.
TQM. What work are doing to meet your needs?
I used to cook and sale goat and caw meats and yam. But things got too tight, providing for my children and myself became difficult and I lost the business. I approached a lady who taught me how to make soap. But I am yet to start my own soap making business because there is no money.
TQM. How much would you need to start the soap making business?
I would need about thirty thousand Naira (N30,000.00) to start. I would buy the containers and other materials used in soap making.
TQM. Your son that stays with you, is he in school?
I should have put him in school, but I don’t have money and his father is not making any effort towards that.
TQM. Are you facing discrimination as a woman with disability?
Yes, when you are a person with disability, there are high chances you will be discriminated upon.
TQM. How do you respond in situation of discrimination?
What would I do? That is the situation I find myself in.
TQM. There are organizations that various governments have put in place to help in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. So that when such rights have been abused, they can approach them for assistance. Do you know about these organizations?
No.
TQM. While you were doing your business, have you ever benefited from any assistance from the government or any organization towards your business?
No.
TQM. Before we go, what appeal would you make to those who are reading your story?
If I would be help with the sum of thirty thousand naira to start this soap making business, by God’s grace, I would make profit from the business to pay for my children’s education and as well as to pay for my other bills.
TQM. Thank you, we in TQM. Are wishing you the best of luck.
Thank you.
