By Ibrahim Kado
Save the Children International (SCI) in collaboration with Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has distributed assistive devices to improve learning of 16 children with disabilities in Mubi, Adamawa.
Speaking at the distribution in Mubi-South Local Government Area on Thursday, Ngozi Beatrice, SCI’s Gender and Disability Inclusion officer, South zone, said the devices were to help children navigate through their difficulties.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries were drawn from public primary schools in Mubi-South and Mubi-North local government areas.
According to her, 202 were initially assessed – 111 boys, 91 girls with 71 being refugees and 130 from host community.
She said that 16 of them needed assistance with device while 43 learners needed further review in specialised hospital.
“We partnered with specialists from the teaching hospital and we’re able to assess children in their level of disability.
“After that, the doctors were able to prescribe assistive devices. So, this current activity, we are distributing the devices to help children aid their difficulties,” she said.
Beatrice further urged the parents to ensure they kept the devices safe so that they won’t spoil .
Mr Abubakar Abba, representing Disability Working Group, Adamawa Chapter, appreciated SCI for impacting positively in the life of children with disabilities.
According to him, such devices will be very helpful for them to improve their learning experience and also to be coming to school.
“They will also feel like children without disability because of the support given to them, like crochets, hearing aids and the eye glasses”, he said.
A cross section of the parents expressed their gratitude for support.
Hussaini Ali, a parent said his 13-year-old was not hearing well but with the support of the device, he hears well.
According to him, the boy finds it difficult to understand what their teachers are doing in classroom and with the assistive device, it will help for easy learning.
NAN reports that other devices that were distributed include crutches, motorised and non-motorised wheel chairs, shoe raise, knee brace and forearm brace.
