By Vivian Onyebukwa
“You Matter To Us Foundation”, a Non-Profit Organisation, gave out menstrual aid boxes to representatives of 34 inclusive schools in Lagos State in commemoration of this year’s International Day of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD).
The distribution took place at a programme organised by Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, School Support Services Department/Special Education Unit, in partnership with Festus Fayemilo Foundation at SUBEB multipurpose hall, Maryland, Lagos.
International Day of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD), is a United Nations day that is celebrated every year on December 3rd to promot the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
The theme for IDPD this year is, “Leadership And Participation of Persons With Disabilities Toward An Inclusive, Accessible And Sustainable Post-COVID-19 World.”
Founder of “You Matter To Us Foundation”, Omolara Ajetunmobi said her organisation is centered around people living with disability because they believe that every child deserve a smile. Ajetunmobi stated that while it is easy for children without disability to have access to some things, it is very difficult for children with disability to have access to same thing.
She believe that the government can’t do everything alone which is why her organisation has come out to assist the government in taking care of persons with disabilities. “In the society today, we want the government to do everything, which is not possible especially when it comes to the issue of disability. Therefore, we need to come together and support the government. So we are giving out boxes that have sanitary products inside. The box is our innovative way of ending menstrual period poverty. We encourage schools to have these boxes at schools because a lot of children stay back at home because of their menstrual period, not only in Nigeria but all over the world. When parents are looking to put food on the table, they may not be able to provide the basic things of life for them”.
Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Wahab Alaruye King, appreciated teachers in special schools for doing a special job. He thanked the board for their contribution in ensuring that no child is left behind. “The day is to promote understanding around issue that surrounds disability. It is also to create awareness, promote their well-being and to increase the awareness around the integration of disability into the social, political and cultural way of life, hence the theme for this year in post COVID era”, the Chairman said.
Bayo Adekunle, also a board member in charge of Special Project, SUBEB, while speaking, reiterated that there is ability in disability. “You are called special for special reason. Any disabled is special in another way. The real disability is in the way of thinking, not physical disability. We must change our perception on the way we think. Not all disability is visible”, he said.
The Special Guest of Honour, Funmi Bank-Anthony, a notable Nollywood actress, in her words of encouragement, promised to assist any of the children who wish to go into acting.
Among the schools that attended the event include Wesley School 1/2, Surulere, Modupe Cole Memorial, Yaba, Atanda Olu School for the physically challenged, Surulere, among others.
