Nanchang Gambo is a single person with blindness from Langtang North Local of Plateau State. He is from the family of eight children, five males and three females. He is an active member of the Boys Brigade. He became a visual impaired person after he have started my primary school.
In this chat with our correspondents Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle when they visited Langtang North as part of our Oxfam Voice Project in Plateau State, he talked about his education, struggles and his Boys Brigade membership.
TQM. After you became blind, were you able to continue with your education?
Yes, l went to School for the Blind Children, Gindiri for my primary school, after completion, l went to Faith Tabernacle College, Jarawan Kogi in Jos East for my secondary education. I also was privileged to be in two Vocational centers for training, The Government Vocational Training Center for the Blind Zawan and a Vocational Training Center Oshodi, Lagos State.
I could not go to higher Institution of learning because of financial limitation.
TQM. Who paid for the schools you attended?
My father did, but after his death, his brother, chief Daniel Ibrahim Dur, continued from where he stopped.
TQM. What are you doing, now for a living, after you completed your school and vocational training?
I was engaged in making carpets and chairs, but l run out of money, due to high cost of raw materials used in production.
TQM. Government have put programs to provide loans and grants to small scales producers, have you benefited from such programs?
No. I applied for it, but up to now, l have not gotten it.
TQM. As a person with disability, do you face discrimination, either from your family or outside your family?
At home, l don’t face discrimination, but in the society, people do that, especially when it comes to romantic relationship.
TQM. You earlier introduced yourself as a member of Boys Brigade. And You are a person with visual disability, how do you fit in?
I fit in just fine and very well, by the grace of God, l am not only a member of the Boys Brigade, but l am the Captain of 32 company of Langtang North and also the Vice Chairman, Boys Brigade Langtang North Battalion Council. And l have been carrying out my assigned functions very well.
People with disabilities have the capacity to fit into any societal functions very well. There is no limited to what we can do. “There is ability, in disability.”
TQM. What would be your personal call for assistance to the government and other persons in the society?
The government or any person should help me with scholarship so that, l can go to higher Institution of learning, and l need capital, so that l can continue with my carpets and chairs business.
TQM. Thank you, captain of the Boys Brigade, Nanchang for sharing your time and story with us.
You are welcome.
