Patience Francis is a blind woman from Bokkos local government of Plateau State, she was not born blind, it came to her later in life.
She dropped out of school at primary class four, when her father forced her into early marriage with a man old enough to be her father.
The marriage ended her formal education. She gave birth to two children before her husband died.
After his death, she got married to a man who had two wives, she had four daughters, two out of the four died.
At a time, in her second marriage, she developed eye problem, which gradually led to total blindness due to lack of care from her husband. Then later, they divorced.
As a woman with blindness, she met another man and got married again. That’s her third husband and she is still living with him. He later became partially blind, as a result of this, he lost his work as a security man in a private organization.
In this interview with Bulus Baba Izang, she shared how she coping daily and what she wants government to do to alleviate her suffering.
TQM. Did you not go to the Hospital for help when you had eye problem?
I did, but, because, l doesn’t have money and support, I went there late. It was the Church l worship and our Traditional ruler that gave me money and took me to Hospital, where l was operated on, upon all the pains that I took from the operation, l did not gain my sight back.
I am grateful to the Church Community and Our Traditional ruler for the support they gave me.
TQM. Are you doing something for a living?
One of my daughters is selling firewood, l am helping her to sell it, while she is selling sweet potato at the local market.
TQM. Is the house you are staying owned by your husband?
No. The owner gave us two rooms, and say we should give anything we can afford. We have been giving him #500.00 per month.
TQM. How do you get money to pay for the rent?
I go to some of my relations, who help me with food and money, after I help them in processing their harvested crops.
TQM. What about your Children? Are they grown up?
My oldest son is missing I don’t know where he is, he has taken to drugs. And my daughters are married, but they are having financial and marital difficulties. So there is little assistance coming from them.
TQM. Do you have any appeal to make?
I am appealing to the government to help with money to start a small business.
TQM. What kind of business do you have in mind?
I want to be selling grains, I mean food items.
TQM. We wish you the best in life.
Thank you.
