lsmai’el Aliyu Umar, is a person with physical disability from Mangu local government of Plateau state. He is married to a fellow lady with physical disability and their marriage is blessed with four children.
In their short interview conducted by Joshua Yenle and Bulus Bala Izang at Mangu, it is interesting to know what this couple is doing to take care of their four children.
TQM. What are doing for a living so that you can to provide for you?
I am doing laundry as my work.
TQM. Were you able to go to school?
I only completed my primary school, and could not go further.
TQM. Why did you stopped at primary school?
I stop because of mobility problem. When l was in primary school, my parents use to carry me in their back to school, as at that time there was not much tricycles like today, and we could not even afford to buy one. When l finished primary school, l became bigger for them to be carrying me around.
It was much later in life that l got a tricycle, It was given to me by Beautiful Gate.
TQM. Now that your mobility have been enhance with tricycle, do you consider going back to school?
( Laughter) No, l now have family and so much responsibility on my shoulder, l will concentrate on providing for my children.
TQM. How did you come about doing laundry?
A man was doing laundry close to our house, and l use to crawl to his shop to spent the time, from there, l started helping him with ironing of clothes. I got more and more involved with the work. He later moved out to another state and l took over the shop and the business.
TQM. Are your children in school?
Yes they are.
TQM. Who is paying for your children education?
I am the one doing that.
TQM. At what level of school are they in?
They are in primary school.
TQM. As a person with disability, are you facing discrimination?
The discrimination is more when l was a child, but now it have reduce a lot.
TQM . Do people take advantage of your disability to abuse your rights as a human being?
No, they are not doing that.
TQM. As you run your business, have you ever enjoyed any grant or loan from the government or private persons?
Yes, way back, l collected the loan of #30,000.00. from a private person. After the repayment of the loan, l have not collected loan again.
TQM . What would you like the government or individuals to assist you with?
I would like some capital to start or add another line of business. Things are hard now and l am finding it difficult to provide for my family.
TQM. The house you are staying in, is it your own?
I am staying in a family house. But the shop, l am doing my business in, is a rented place.
TQM. Thank you Mallam Umar.
