May initiative update: Technology is my passion

Technology my passion.

There is so much going on out here in the North West region of Cameroon. The sociopolitical crisis, corona pandemic, constant lock downs called by the non-state armed groups and a lot of insecurity from constant gun firing. it’s been really difficult to carry out activities. Besides all the above challenges have greatly affected the economy. You can only imagine how much this is adversely affecting women with disabilities. They are having a hard time providing for their basic needs and affording for technological devices. Despite the odd I feel confident about everything being possible with the use of technology and so would go above and beyond to ensure these women gain basic skills in technology.

With so much effort, training, motivation and inspiration from World pulse through the featured change maker program I am persistent and unstoppable about getting more women with disabilities especially deaf women acquire skills in the use of technology. I have come to the realization that this knowledge will not only help them to sell their produce online but would also motivate and inspire them into researching for other opportunities online.

Last year I launch an initiative on using technology to enhance economic empowerment of girls with hearing impairment which can be found on my dash board: a perfect gift from World Pulse. Lately I have been going through all the initiative updates to see how I can come up with new strategies of reaching out to more women with disabilities. I have also been collaborating with other organization with the same objective.

It’s not been an easy journey especially as most of these women cannot still afford devices. Teaching people to use technology is always a practical process and therefore I have had to borrow devices sometimes to get everyone engaged on the process. With the constant lock downs in our regions, sometimes it become difficult to get these women come together for trainings but that has never stopped me as I have had to move to their homes in some instances to work with them as you can read on https://www.worldpulse.com/my-pulse/profile# some of my initiative updates. That is how much world Pulse has injected the unstoppable spirit in me in addition to the fact that I have been always unstoppable. Honestly it’s been very challenging but a rewarding learning process for both individually and professionally. Thank you so much world Pulse. You Rock!!

What an amazing experience facilitating at a workshop as a sign language interpreter organized by the Partnership institute for research and learning (PIRL) project and coordinated by our own World Pulse sister Veronica. Wow!!! Two featured changemakers who were both awardees at the 2020 World Pulse Spirit Award, top 21 women to be followed in 2021 and both featured amongst the top Seven featured change makers for 2021 on World Pulse. You can only imagine the impact of these vibrant women. It so happened that we all turned up in our ambassador’s T-shirts. This wasn’t preplanned. We were both amazed when we arrived at the Workshop. That’s the world Pulse spirit!!, Its uniqueness and strong sisterhood bond we carry everywhere and want everywoman out there to feel, hear see and belong. World Pulse rocks!!

This workshop was a follow up to one which had been done in 2020. It was meant at evaluating how knowledge gained from the previous workshop that had impacted these women with disabilities. There were 12 women participants five of whom were women living with hearing impairment.

The feedback was super encouraging. Participant gave that following feedback:

-some have had the opportunity to participate in online trainings.

-received financial support as startup capital for their businesses

-hard new business ideas such as new designs for their beaded products

-able to apply for conferences and trainings

-increase visibility for their products

Haven listened to all the feedback from participants. I am motivated all the more to get more women acquire skills on the proper and safe use of technology.

I have created a WhatsApp and more group where we continue to share knowledge, success stories, opportunities, new findings, challenges and solutions.

I also call on these women/girls who have been beneficiaries of the PIRL workshop and other beneficiaries from other workshops on technology to do all they can to pass on the knowledge acquired so many more women could be empowered.

The government and all stakeholders of disabilities to take up their responsible to give these category of persons opportunities to acquire skills on technology. They should also give them grants in the form of technological tools suitable for the different types of disabilities.

Stakeholders including family members and caregivers of persons with disabilities should be nondiscriminatory in view of access to mobile phones, computers and other tech devices available at home so persons with disabilities could also benefit from.