Kande Malong is thirty- eight (38) years old woman with blindness from a family of fifty- eight (58) children and the only one with disability. Her father married ten wives. She became blind as result of measles before she was one. She is from Kwalla in Qua’an-Pan local government of Plateau state.
In a chat with our correspondents Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle, she spoke about how she was denied education because of disability and her means of earning a living.
TQM. Can you let us into your educational records?
I was not able to have formal education like other children, but later in life, l attended a Vocational training, at Government Vocational Training Center for the Blind, Zawan in Jos south local government.
TQM. Why were you not able to attend school like other children?
I think its due to my parents ignorance.
TQM. Were your other siblings sent to school?
Yes. All my brothers and sisters were send to school with the exception of me.
TQM. What about discrimination in your family and the society as a result of your disability?
Aside denying me education, l am not being discriminated upon at home but outside home, there is one or two occasion of discrimination.
TQM. How do your respond in such a situation?
I see it mostly as ignorance so l try to educate them on the danger of doing so.
TQM. Have you consider engaging the services of Institutions like Plateau State Disability Rights Commission?
No. I just iron things out with the people who discriminate against me.
TQM. What about your marital status?
I once got married to a man with blindness, we were even blessed with a male child, who later died.
We separated, because our family members did not agree to the two of us being blind to marry, saying who would take care of us?
TQM. What are you doing to earn a living?
For now, l am not doing anything. I wanted to do knitting and weaving of chairs and baskets, which l know how to do, but l lack capital to start.
TQM. Have you not applied for loan or grant any where?
I have, but l was not given.
TQM. Who is providing food and other things to you?
My parents, whom l am staying with.
TQM. Finally, what is your appeal to the government and other members of the society, in terms of helping you?
My appeal is that l should be assisted with employment or be given some capital to start some business. This would make me not to continue depending on my aged parents. I should be the one helping them now, not them still providing for me. I really need help.
TQM. Thank you, we wish you the best of luck.
Thank you.
