Kangyang Ezekiel Kajere is a married woman with physical disability, a mother of three children from Riyom local government area of Plateau state. She is a Polio survivor; she came down with polio when she was at the age of two months.
In this interview conducted by Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle, she spoke about her education and other challenges.
TQM. Having acquired disability at a very tender age, today you are an adult. Have you suffered reject or discrimination in your family or the community you are in, because of your disability?
Ans. Within my family unit I have not been rejected or discriminated but I have some little forms of discrimination outside or in my community.
TQM. In what form have you been discriminated upon?
Ans. When my friends what to go out for an outing, they usually would not want me to know about it because they don’t want me to go with them. May be because they are ashamed to be identifying with me as their friend because I have a disability. And sometimes women in my community denied me information of what is happening in the community, believing that I have less to do with community matters because of my disability.
TQM. Can you tell us about your educational background?
Ans. I had my primary education at LEA Primary School Farin- lamba, in Riyom local government, after completion I went Government Secondary School Riyom for my post primary education. I later got a grade 2 certificate in education with National Teachers Institute (NTI). From there I went to Collage of Education Gindiri in Mangu local government, where I read primary education /English.
TQM. Are you now working or you are still looking for employment?
Ans. I have gain employment with Education Authority of Riyom local government.
TQM. Is your husband a person with disability like you?
Ans. His is not a person with disability.
TQM. You are an educated wife and mother, are your children schooling?
Ans. our three children are schooling; they are at primary school level.
TQM. Who is paying for their education?
Ans. For now I do, my husband lost his job and he is yet to find another work.
TQM. Do have other economic activity that you are doing apart from your appointment with the local government?
Ans. Yes, I am keeping pigs and chickens. I also have a stand by Farin- Lamba road side where I sale potato at a retail level
TQM. Have you had any form of aid towards financing your business?
Ans. No sir.
TQM. What call for aid do you have for those that may be reading your story?
Ans. I am calling for financial assistances towards my little farm, either from the government or any other persons, especially now that running a poultry and pig business is expensive.
TQM. Thank you for granting us this interview.
Ans. It is my pleasure.
