Marta Franco is a woman with visual impairment from Bassa local government of Plateau state. She is a married woman, her disability came as a result of sickness, and it happened after she have completed her primary school.
In this interview with our correspondents Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle, she spoke about her education, training, family and the discrimination.
TQM. You became blind after you have finished your primary school, were you able to continue with your education?
Yes, l went back to school, but l went to a vocational school, that is Vocational Training Center for the blind Zawan , in Jos South local government of Plateau state. It was in this center that l became comfortable. When l became blind in my early teenage, l really did find it difficult to cope, sometimes l even felt like death would be better. But when l got to the training center and meet a lot of people with visual disabilities who are aspiring to achieve something in life, despite their visual disability, God use these people to comfort me.
TQM. What happened after your training?
It took me time to gain employment, but, before l did, l engaged myself in making and selling kunun ayah.
TQM. Where are you working now?
I am working with social welfare unit of Bassa local government.
TQM. The kunun ayah you mentioned, are you still doing it or you have stopped?
I am still making and selling it, but seasonally, when the weather is hot, l make and sell a lot of it but when the weather is cold, the demand drops.
TQM. Is your husband a person with disability?
Yes, he is a person with visual disability like me. We meet at the vocational training center, and later, after the training we got married. Our Union is yet to be blessed with children. But we have some of our relatives children that are with us, some of them have schooled and got married in our hands, while some are still schooling.
TQM. Who is paying for these children education?
We are.
TQM. Did you faced discrimination at home as a result of you being a person with disability?
No, my family are still loving, my elder brother was even the one that went to enquire about the vocational training center l attended. When l was at the center, they used to visit me regularly. l am really grateful to each member of my family.
No, my family are still loving, my elder brother was even the one that went to enquire about the vocational training center l attended. When l was at the center, they used to visit me regularly. l am really grateful to each member of my family.
TQM. Do people patronize you kunun ayah, knowing that you are a person with disability?
People buy from me without discrimination, they even praise me for taking out my time to prepare good kunun ayah.
TQM. Have you received any grant or loan for your business?
No .
TQM. But have you applied for it?
Yes.
TOM. Finally, what wound be your personal appeal to the government and other members of the society?
My appeal is, l need help with the payment of the children’s education. I have two of them that are still in primary school. I would like to start poultry business, If l would get the financial assistance.
TQM. Thank you madam for you time.
Thank you too.
