Cripple: I want to quit begging if I have money to do business

WHERE were you before you were brought here? 

I lived at St Stephen’s area of Inalende, Ibadan. I rented a room apartment in the area. But, on Wednesday, I went to Bola, near Sabo, where we had a concentration of the blind, handicapped and other categories of physically challenged individuals. I saw the place being demolished and two luxury buses used to convey our people. So, I inquired what was happening and was told they wanted to move our people to a new house. I decided to join them with my children and that is how we got here. 

How do you assess this new place for you and your people? 

The house accommodation here is fine. The state government really tried for us. Though personally I have a room accommodation in St Stephen area, near Mokola, many people here cannot afford to rent a room by themselves. We have to commend the government for this facilities and the good environment. I am very happy about it. As I am, I don’t have legs, but I usually save from the money people give me through alms and begging. So, if my house rent was due, I paid the landlord from the money that I had saved. I don’t want my children to sleep in the cold because if they fall sick, the money one will spend to take care of them would be much.

What else do you want the government to do for you and other people in this facility? Personally, I don’t like begging for alms and there are some other people like that here. I want the government to help us through empowerment by giving us money we can use to start business or petty trades. When you are in a condition like this, nobody wants to help you. As for me, I have four children and a husband who is a cripple like me. I want the government to help me so that I can stop begging. I like to start a business. I don’t have legs, but I am determined to do business if I have the money for startup. This begging for alms is disgraceful. The governor should please help those of us who want to work or engage in trading. Some able bodied women will use their children to beg for money. That is not good. As for me, I don’t want my children to be begging and I want to quit begging if I have money to do business. 

Are you confirming that if you are empowered with business capital by the government or any individual, you will quit begging? 

Why not. I will quit. Begging is very dangerous, most especially on the road. You can be run over or crushed by vehicles or motorcycles. You are always under the rain, sun and other harsh weather condition.