VOA慢速英语: 尼日利亚组织向残疾人提供训练

In Nigeria, an estimated 20 million people have some kind of physicaldisability. They have physical problems that make it difficult to find work andhold a job. Some of the disabled end up on city streets, asking strangers forhelp. But in Kaduna State, a group of disabled men has been persuadingothers to get off the street by offering them new skills.

Our story begins outside the offices of a local charity. A group of men who arephysically disabled wait there for food from the aid group. It may be the onlymeal they get that day. Because the men are disabled, most depend onbegging in the streets to support themselves.

Aliyu Yakubu is unlike those men. He is learning job skills to earn a livingwage. He is being shown how to fix tricycles and do other metal work.

The 18-year-old remembers when he decided to stop begging.

He says, “My former class prefect saw me begging on the street and didn’trecognize me. He gave me some money. When I stretched my hand out tocollect it, then he saw my face. I felt ashamed, and since then, I decided not to beg again.”

Isiaka Maaji is also physically disabled. He helps people like Aliyu Yakubu getwork, and get off the streets. He teaches them a trade.

He learned his skills from a government-operated training program. Theprogram has been teaching vocational work since 2002. Five years ago, Mr.Maaji started helping other disabled people to stop begging.

He says, “We encourage people like us to learn skills they can do to becomeself-reliant to support themselves and their families because being in thestreets as beggars is a disgrace to all of us.

To date, he has helped and trained 30 people. Some of them even have theirown metal-working businesses now. They make tricycles and motor bikesdesigned for handicapped individuals. But that is not all they make. They alsomake doors and windows to sell.

Ridwan Abdillahi is a member of the Handicapped Association and a businessowner. He says the group is making good quality products, but people are notbuying. He says he believes many people think goods made by the disabledare not as good as those made by others.

The disabled men waiting for a meal say this is one more barrier the disabledface. They say that with the help of the government and community, they willovercome it, by bringing people’s attention to their concerns.

I’m Anne Ball.

Mohammed Yusuf reported on this story from Kaduna, Nigeria. Anne Balladapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

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Words in This Story

disabled– adj. having a physical or mental disability; unable to perform one ormore natural activities

beg – v. to ask people for money or food

tricycle– n. a three-wheeled vehicle that people ride

vocational – adj. relating to special skills or training one needs for a job

disgrace– n. a loss of respect because of one’s actions or behavior