DON'T SEND OUR SISTERS AWAY
Disabled community members rally in support and solidarity in the wake of another robbery at our home
By Sr. Rosemarie Donovan, O.L.M.
Summer 2005
Return to Table of Contents
Print Article
Our Lady's Missionary Sr. Rosemarie Donovan (above) has been an advocate for the physically disabled in Vandeikya province, Nigeria. Through the St. Joseph's Association for the Disabled, established 12 years ago with members of the community, she helps provide assistance for a variety of needs, from physiotherapy, corrective surgery, wheelchairs, walkers or leg braces, to completion of schooling or learning a trade. The Association aims to restore human dignity and increase the mobility of disabled persons so that they become respected members of the community.
On the night of September 14, 2004, at 1:45 a.m. we were jolted awake with banging on our door and loud voices demanding that we open it. With pounding hearts we knew that armed robbers had returned – our third attack in two years. This time four armed men pushed their way into our bedrooms and ripped the rooms apart, searching through drawers, cupboards, under beds and mattresses. They shouted that they wanted "dollars" and hurled abuse and threats at us if we didn't produce the money quickly. It was a most terrifying experience.
At dawn, worn out from the shock of their visit and the effort to put some semblance of order back into our rooms, we went to mass and informed the parish priest and parishioners that we had been attacked once again. Word spread quickly through the town and the people came in droves to sympathize and to express their shame that their own people had done this terrible thing to us.
That morning, the executive of St. Joseph's Association for the Disabled (an association that Our Lady's Missionaries helped establish here in Vandeikya province) was holding its quarterly meeting. Upon hearing the news, the executive decided to quickly mobilize all their members to march in protest to the local government the following Monday. The bush telephone worked well that weekend as 36 of our disabled members gathered for the nine kilometre march. They were a motley group traveling in wheelchairs or with leg braces and crutches while carrying two large placards:
"VANDEIKYA DISABLED REFUSE SENDOFF OF OUR REVEREND SISTERS"
and
"PROTECT OUR SISTERS"
One young man opted to crawl on the ground to remind the townspeople of his former plight. This had been his means of travel before St. Joseph's Association began its workshop five years ago producing wheelchairs in an open shed on the main road.
Little Benjamin makes his way with courage and determination. Sr. Rosemarie writes: "He was born with clubbed hands and feet and was eight months old when I first saw him. After two operations and multiple castings on his feet he is walking with the help of callipers and crutches."
Happily getting around with the help of a unique wheelchair-tricycle built in the roadside workshop of the St. Joseph's Association for the Disabled. Vandeikya, Nigeria.
On arrival Mr. Terpase Chia, president of the Association, addressed the deputy chairman and the members of the legislature who had assembled to meet the protesters. Using a microphone, he registered the group's grievances concerning the lack of security at the Sisters' compound. He asked that their protest be relayed without delay to the Divisional Police Officer to take immediate steps to alter the situation. He expressed their common fear: "If the Reverend Sisters leave the area now, I want to clearly assure you that we, the less privileged, will be in trouble."
The local government representatives received them well and listened attentively to their anxieties and fears. The officials thanked the people for having such community mindedness and courage to bring this disgraceful situation to public attention. And they offered money to the marchers to buy bread for their homeward journey.
As the people made their way home, they talked about the incredible changes that had occurred in their lives throughout the last 12 years since our Association was formed. In those days, a few handicapped people were seen crawling on the ground, but there were many others hidden from view.
Now everyone in the villages knows personally all the wheelchair users and their many disabled friends who are no longer hidden, but are walking with the aid of leg braces and crutches. Many have been to school, apprenticed in various trades and are now wage earners, married and raising families.
Another cause of joy is that more and more disabled people are coming together to share their concerns, struggles and achievements, and to gain strength from their shared identity as disabled people. They look forward to the opening of the new St. Joseph's Centre – their centre – with meeting hall, offices and workshop where wheelchairs are produced. Many of you, our readers and supporters, are already their friends. We pray for you and give thanks that you continue to believe in them and support them even as you support Our Lady's Missionaries. We are grateful.
Return to Table of Contents
Print Article