Marfe Ndam is a person with physical disability from Shandam local government of plateau state. She is from a family of seven children, her father married two wives, and her mother happened to be the second wife. She is now married with three children.
She had her primary school education at LGEA Academy primary school Shandam, and later she went to Government Secondary School Shandam for her secondary education. She also went to Plateau State Polytechnic out-reach Campus there in Shandam where she acquired a certificate in Public Administration.
In this interview with our correspondents, Bulus Izang and Joshua Yenle in their tour to Shandam local government as part of our project Connecting Our Voices To the World supported by Oxfam Voice, she talked about her challenges as person with disability.
TQM. Are you employed?
I am not but I have something doing to help myself.
TQM. What are you doing to help yourself, can you let us into it?
I am selling logs of fire woods and ciroh, (a sweetener for Kunu) as my work.
TQM. You had disability at an early age. How was the treatment like to you in the society, as a girl child with disability?
As a child, then, I did not understand much, so, also the other children in the society, so when they saw me crawling, they usually asked questions, like why is this girl crawling on the ground? On hearing these, I would become embarrassed and I would be crying for a long time, but now I know and understand better, so, I respond better.
TQM. As you grew into a teenage, did you have any boyfriend -girlfriend relationship?
No, I did not get that, in fact, even up to my twenties, it used to make me cry and, l keep on asking myself questions, why are things happening to me? But I thank God, I am today married with three children.
TQM. Are your children attending School?
Yes, one is in tertiary school, second child is in secondary school and the youngest is in primary school.
TQM. Who pays for their education?
Me and my husband.
TQM. Is you husband a person with disability?
Yes, he is a person with physical disability.
TQM. What work is he doing?
He buy and sells grains to people.
TQM. The house you are staying in, is it a rented place?
It is a family house.
TQM. In doing your business, have you ever received any grant or loan to expand you business?
Yes, the money I used in starting my business was given to me by Dr. Ayebene. The owner of Ebene Clinic, here in Shandam. He is the only one that have given me helped.
TQM. What would your appeal for assistance be to someone who is reading your story?
My appeal to our leader is that they should help me with employment, and some money to expand my business and lastly but not the least, my children’s education needs sponsorship.
TQM. Do Thank for sharing you story with us.
You are welcome.
