A non profit making governmental organization (NGO) known as keep It Real Foundation has provided a lifeline to one Miss Maria Akese and other physical challenged persons in the organization 3rd Prize giving and donation ceremony at Our Lorde School of Children with special disabilities.
The organization has been rendering selfless services without any material or financial gain, based on the founder of the organization orientation, Mrs. Bitebo Gogo.
Mary Elijah Sam, Kayode Abraham are some of the bright students with special disabilities that benefited from KIR vocational training this year. Marian went home with a set of computer and a camera because of her versatility in almost all the 13 trades she was trained.
A total of 11 certificates were given out to students of the school, 4 for junior secondary, 3 for junior secondary and 4 for primary.
Speaking to newsmen, Mrs. Gogo said that she is touched by the plight of the children because of her experience with the doctors sometime ago when she had a multiplied operations.
According to her, from that experience, she vowed to give a helping hand to the disabled and the less privileged ones in the society. She stressed that every one in the society could do one or two things to help those that are physically challenged.
She encouraged the students to believe in themselves and never see different from the rest of the people in the society but tap at the 500 potential and talents in them to better themselves and contribute to the society.
She commended Gov. Amaechi for providing 800 hectares of land for the children and also providing 60 teachers for the proposed special school. She stressed that society should see children with special disabilities like other normal beings rather than stigmatization and discrimination.
Dr. Agomoh Obiohia, Head Department of Guidance and Counseling, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in his lecture, said, “even if you affect one life you are a role model, pointing out that every child is special to God as he gives special gifts and talents to each and everyone, adding that the children with special disabilities should rather be seen and appreciated by parents and society as special people with special needs. He narrated the case of his lecturer in the university who is disabled but function perfectly well like others without disabilities.
Mr. Onwuegbuchu Blessing, Principal UBE Special School, Creek Road, Port Harcourt in his advice urged parents to bring their children with special disabilities as the school has all what it takes to care for all children with disabilities.
Mr. Agi in his advise to the children stressed that each and every individual has 500 talents in him or her to discover to better the society and self, therefore charged them to believe in themselves and never condemn themselves as there are many things they can do that others cannot do.
Maria was supported by Dr. Kalada Dick Iruenabere with undisclosed amount of money to enable her start business of her own. ###
Allanso Jonathan Allanso
