The Engraced Ones has organized inclusive fashion/modeling show known as Inclusion Africa Children Runway.
The event which was funded by Liliane Fonds through the support from The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) is to promote and foster inclusion of children with disabilities in modeling industry.
The founder and convener, The Engraced Ones, Bibora Yinkere told TQM that the idea behind the modeling show is to celebrate her daughter Miracle’s birthday who is a child with disability in unique way by creating an enabling environment for children with disabilities to explore in area of modeling to serve as a source of livelihood for them.
Miracle, the second daughter to the Convener is celebrating her 12th years birthday.
“The event can lead for some of them to be spotted for professional modeling, advertisment etc, it create opportunity for local Industry, most of the clothing were made by local fashion designers and also to promote inclusion” she added.
“It is an inclusive show and children with disabilities competed so nicely with their counterparts without disabilities”
“It is to breakdown the walls of discrimination among the children and among parents to foster inclusion, over the years I have been seeing children with downsyndrome participating in modeling outside Nigeria and I have always speaking about it and it occurred to me that instead of speaking about it, let’s do it in order for Nigerians to see that it is possible” she stated.
Speaking further, she informed that 40 children participated in the modeling show, 18 children with disabilities and 22 children without disabilities and the show and the performance of the children especially children with disabilities meet her expectation.
Going by the euthuiasm shown by the parents, other guests, the show has come to stay.
She advised parents of children with disabilities to give their children a chance, there shouldn’t be shame in having a child with disability. On Sunday, some children with disabilites who participated, their parents wasn’t there to support but when they saw the videos, they were amazed.
She called on government, donor agencies and well to do Nigerians to come and support the show to be an annual event and also take it beyond Nigeria to Africa. Again, it will be an opportunity for these children to showcase and export their talents.
The event which took place in Abuja on Sunday 30th April, 2023 witnessed children with disabilities and other children walk through the runway in admiration of the guests. There were several partners who provided their services to make the show successful and memorable.
The Convener of Engraced Ones, Bibora Yinkere while making speech at the event thanked The Leprosy Mission Nigeria TLMN for the grant of 5 million Naria given to their School of Grace and she believed that something bigger is coming. She also took turn to appreciate all the partners for their gesture.
Pius Sunday Ogbu, the head, Programs and Operations, TLMN, in his goodwill message informed that Leprosy Mission will be 100 years next year and they are dedicated towards the welfare and rights of persons with disabilities through their support to several partner organization which Engraced Ones is one of them.
He appreciated other partner organizations to Engraced Ones that helped to make the event a success. He urged them and other individuals to continue to support the Engraced Ones.
He stated that what the children with disabilities need is not pity or sympathy but understanding and love from everyone.
While appreciating the Engraced Ones for the marvelous and passionate works they are doing, he said that he is excited and elated by the performance of the children.
Engraced Ones is a prayer group made up of parents of children with disabilities with the idea of seeking support services their children with disabilities.
