FROM KANTHARI TO NIGERIA
After my completion of the seven months campus session of the kanthari leadership institute where my dream speech lunched Eagles Voice. Then I arrived Nigeria with tools to start my journey as an ethical social change maker with a focus on the integration of the blind and partially sighted women in Nigeria and the nation at large. From the strict limited circulation of the new Naira note due to the new currency redesign policy. To the increase and scarcity of fuel and the political campaigns which flood the street and states in Nigeria.
These were a lot to chew. But with the support of friends and families, I sailed through and was determined to fly through the stormy weather.
THE INCUBATION PHASE
In January, I introduced my idea to establish Eagles Voice to friends who developed interest and ready to journey to cause a positive change. We started the process of legalizing the organisation as a not-for-profit organizationin Nigeria. Although, not easy but finally concluding with the registration process.
Additionally, we developed a virtual form to understand the gap that exist in the exclusion of blind and partially women in leadership roles or assuming positions with high level of responsibilities. So far, we have gathered a quantifiable amount of responses. Although, we are still open to receiving more answers from blind and partially sighted women resident in Nigeria.
You can access the form here >> Need Assessment Form Blind Women In Nigeria
COLLABORATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS
I am excited to inform you that the quest to spread the news about the integration of blind and partially sighted women and the need for a more sustainable society has started yielding fruit. As I co-host a one hour live radio program on Nigeria’s foremost radio station Wazobia 95.1fm.
The program is dedicated to demystify the myths about disabilities and guide the society on various approaches to diversity, inclusion and equity.
You can join us live from any part of the globe. Simply listen live by downloading the station’s app on either apple store or google playstore and you are just a click from joining thousands of listeners.
PARTNERSHIPS
It is not in the DNA of an Eagle to back down in mist of challenges. Rather, Eagles are strengthened by soaring high in the storm. This is what we did at Eagles Voice. While the fuel scarcity, limited currency circulation, political and economy instability, we sort alternative means to reach our goals. We started partnership with organisations of persons with disabilities, such as the Nigeria Association of the Blind to setup their office for a two- month capacity building program which is schedule to hold in April, 2023. The goal of the program is to empower 10 blind and partially sighted women in Lagos metropolis to acquire skills for daily and professional living. The training encompass computer appreciation using screen reading softwares, Orientation and Mobility rehabilitation and Communication skills.
- This is a pilot project of the Eagles Voice and we are looking forward to the various phase of development in our Eagles who are ready to come out of their pigeon holes and fly to lead the world.
- In honor of the various works, I have implemented within the disability community in Lagos, I was presented with an award for the work by Empower PWD Africa on the 22nd of February, 2023. The award is dedicated to all my Eagles (the blind and partially sighted women in Nigeria) never to give up the quest to change the narrative and bring about positive change within the community and the nation at large.
- Eagles Voice secured commitment and partnership with Total Inclusion Limited. A non- governmental organisation saddle with advocating and implementing projects relating to mainstreaming persons with disabilities in the society.
The organization is happy and willing to give support to Eagles Voice.
2023 International Women’s Day
We launched our first media voice by joining all women globally to celebrate the 2023 international women’s day under the theme ‘innovation and technology for gender equality’. It is a fact that since 1960 till date, there has been no qualified blind or visually impaired women in high level of responsibilities especially in the media, politics or corporate entity in Nigeria. We however understand that there are several factors that might limit such participation and with his, we encourage blind and partially sighted women in Nigeria to be empowered with the basic skills that are need to ensure a more diversified and equal say.
We are grateful to our friends in the media who gave us the platform.
OUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT QUARTER
The weather may be stormy but we do not intend giving up the fight. Instead, we are challenged to develop more innovative approaches to breaking the bias and changing the mind- set of the blind and partially sighted women in Nigeria through our various projects, advocacy, awareness and publications
Below are few projects we hope to achieve in the next quarter
- Capacity building and strengthening for organisations
- Two months onsite training for 10 women with visual impairment in Lagos
- Collaboration with the University of Lagos on inclusive practices and diversified approaches to integrating women with visual impairment
- Media visibilities
- One- day virtual talks with women with disabilities in Nigeria and beyond on diversified methods in breaking the bias and making a clear difference
- Procurement, training and presentation of assistive devices to the blind and partially sighted women in different states within Nigeria
Little Act of Kindness makes the BIG Difference.
We seek your support to make the next quarter different from the former.
You can reach out to us for any inquiry or support through our email address and social media. Be sure to receive response in the shortest of time.
Email: info@eaglesvoice.org
Website: www.eaglesvoice.org
Thank you for your time reading our newsletter. We encourage you to share with your friends and network.
Appreciation
Appreciation to my mentor. She is the Director of Bramble Network. Also my gratitude to the Founders, catalyst and team at kanthari and my fellow 2022 participants for their support.
Special appreciation to the anonymous donor who made it financially possible to receive the scholarship as a participant to learn the essentials of being an ethical social change maker.
Yours in productive service,
Oluwakemi and the team at Eagles Voice
This is a great read. Thanks to our wonderful advocate @Kemi Odusanya for establishing this amazing voice platform for the disabled community in Nigeria.
Thanks for sharing! Great job you are doing. Wishing you more growth in this quarter.
This is the right web site for anyone who would like to understand this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want toÖHaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject which has been discussed for years. Great stuff, just great!