by Agbo Chris
The Daughters of Charity St. Vincent De Paul joined 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to implement the annual advocacy programme titled WE RING THE BELL.
This programme which was initiated by The Liliane Foundation, Netherlands( an NGO that focuses on the empowerment of children and youngsters with disabilities from 0-25 years, using the CBR approach, for child development and the creation of enabling environment) is aimed at raising the awareness of the government and the general public on the need for inclusive education for children and youngsters with disabilities. The theme for 2019 is accessibility of the school environment for children with disabilities. The ten “urgent calls” below summarizes the points of the emphasis of this campaign.
THE TEN URGENT CALLS
The Daughters of Charity and 24 of their implementing partner organizations rang the bell in 17 states of the country with the participation of 26,279 persons. Publicity by the Media took the campaign beyond the immediate audience.
Among the participants of the programme at old parade ground, Area 10, Garki-Abuja were Mr Rasak Adekoya( a visually impaired disability rights advocate and the guest speaker), Mr. Ali Andrew Madugu (Deputy Director, Child Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development) the representative of the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Fatima Gambo Babba, the representative of the Director, FCT Secondary Education Board, Mr. Abel Aisnedion, the representative of the Honourable Minister of Education, Mr. Ekujereonye Bede Obinna, the president, National Association of Blind, FCT Chapter and other stakeholders from Universal Basic Education Board FCT, SOS children’s Villages among others as well as schools such as Model Secondary School Maitama-Abuja, Hope Centre for Children with Special Needs, Kubwa-Abuja, Hope House Initiative, Gwarinpa-Abuja, Stella Child care Trust, Bwari-Abuja and Facado Orphanage, New Karu-Nassarawa State.
The Daughters of Charity used this medium to call on the government and the general public to make the schools more inclusive and accessible for children and youngsters with disabilities.
HERE ARE OTHER PICTURES OF WE RING THE BELL 2019:
