Jemya Funturu is a 16 years old girl with physical disability, (she cannot properly use her legs, and her hands). She was born like that, her mother was also having this kind of disability, but she is dead now. She is the only child of her mother.
She is from Mobudi town, in Langtang South local government area of Plateau state.
She shared her story with TQM team(Bulus Bala izang and Joshua Yenle) and her story is touching and deserving an immediate intervention.
TQM. Were you privileged to go to school?
I finished my primary school, but could not go to secondary school, because, the nearest secondary school is too far for me to go, l don’t have mobility aid.
TQM. But, can your father afford to pay for the schooling?
No, but, l am hoping my Mother would have the money to pay for my school fees.
TQM. But, you just said, your mother is dead?
Yes, my aunty that l am now staying with, she is my mother now. She has been providing things for me.
TQM. What about your father?
My father is alive, l have not been seeing much of him, he does care much about me and he have not been providing things for me.
TQM. Is your father married to another woman?
Yes.
TQM. Does the wife, your step mother, care for you?
No.
TQM. Who have been providing you with food, clothes and other things that you need?
My aunty that is now my mother
TQM. What kind of work does your mother (aunty) do?
She buys meat, cook it and then sell.
TQM. Now that you are at home, are doing anything?
No, l am not doing anything.
TQM. But wouldn’t you like to do, or learn something?
Would like to be buying and selling Chin-Chin.
TQM. Have you ever received any assistance from anybody or the government?
Yes, we were once take to Pankshin local government, and some food items and clothes was given to us.
TQM. What request would like to make to the government or anybody that would like to help you?
I just want someone who can take me to school, so that in the future, l can take of myself. That is my appeal.
TQM. You cannot make use your legs and your hands effectively, have children outside or other people make fun of you?
No, they don’t. I don’t use to go out, so children don’t get to see much of me. And the children l am with, are members of the household, they don’t do such things to me, we are a family.
TQM. When you were in primary school or when you were going out, how do you get to where you want to go?
There is a cart that my people used to collect to push me in it.
TQM. You don’t have a tricycle or a wheelchair for your movement?
Yes, l don’t have, we only make use of the cart l told you about.
TQM. Thank you Jemya, for sharing you story with us.
We pray you will have someone who will take to you school. Amen
