By Kesah Princely, In Buea
An incidence of robbery has left a Cameroonian wheelchair user in tears and frustration as she gets cut off from her only source of livelihood.
About six years ago Grace Acha, a lady with mobility impairment was compelled to start up a petit trade as neither the public nor the private sector was willing to see the ability in her disability after university education.
“As a young graduate, I applied for a job many times, but was told I have nothing to offer on a wheelchair,” she pitifully said.
Unfriendly to Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, as the Cameroonian society appears to be, Grace decided to start a small business in 2016 where she hoped to be her own boss.
To the lady, keeping herself far from the increasing stigmatization and discrimination against persons with disabilities could be helpful to her and even motivate her peers.
It is worth underscoring that, although such social exclusion is faced by persons with disabilities in general, the case of women like Grace is worst.
For nearly six years now, she has been able to sustain herself and her child happily until recently when she was completely robbed off her capital.
Read more: Persons With Disabilities Cry Out Three Weeks After Application Of Mobile Money Tax In Cameroon
“I have been in tears and frustration for over 48 hours after my stocking of tobacco which I was managing for a living was all carried away,” she revealed as tears ran down her cheeks.
Since 2016, Grace has been selling tobacco, biscuits as well as doing communication airtime transfer.
Now, she has been completely reduced to nothing as all her capital is gone.
“I used to buy cigarettes in bits since I diversified my business, but lately, I used all my capital and bought in bulk as it was to be more profitable,” she averred.
Grace had just bought a new stock when she was robbed, in the evening of Sunday, February 6 in Molyko, a neighbourhood in Buea, Cameroon’s South West Region.
“I am so devastated both physically and psychologically because I have been left in the middle of nowhere,” Grace disclosed to TWIF NEWS.
Despite the challenges surrounding Grace, she has been a breath winner for her family.
Moving forward with her business, however, is the main obstacle Grace is faced with at the moment.
“I really need assistance so that I can return to work,” she said, adding that her trade means everything to her.
At the age of 2 years 8 months, Grace became sick of polio, a situation that deteriorated and later resulted in mobility impairment.
If you feel touched and want to support the work of the young disability role model, contact TWIF NEWS via +237674667038 to reach out to her.
