A Life-Changing Gift: Jabirou’s Tricycle Story

The wonderful story of the tricycle that transforms Jabirou's story

At 11 a.m., the sun is blazing down on the village of Dogo in Niger's Zinder region. Eighteen-year-old Jabirou, who has a locomotor disability, is proudly and easily getting around on his tricycle. Born into a family of nine children, Jabirou shares his story with us — one that hasn't always been a happy one.

‘’ My name is Jabirou Issoufou Hassan, I have 4 brothers and 5 sisters. I'm the only handicapped person in my family, but fortunately, I can always count on their support.’’

Apart from his family, he's also fortunate to have good friends, although some of them still don't hesitate to remind him of his condition in the worst possible way.

‘’I have friends who are not disabled people, with whom we often play and sympathize. They even help me get around, even though some of them are not. The most painful experience I've ever had was at school. One day, as usual, my classmates were discussing an interesting subject, and when I wanted to intervene and give my opinion, one of them took the liberty of harassing me, saying “poor Gourgou, shut up, don't get involved in this debate” (Gourgou is a derogatory term in the local Nigerian language used to describe people with a locomotor handicap). it's an experience I'll never forget!” he says sadly.

"I have friends who are not disabled, and we often play together and support each other. Some of them even help me get around. The most painful experience I've ever had was at school. One day, as usual, my classmates were discussing an interesting subject. When I tried to join in and give my opinion, one of them harassed me, saying, 'Poor Gourgou! Shut up! Don't get involved in this debate!' " (Gourgou is a derogatory term in the local language of Niger used to describe people with a locomotor handicap). "It's an experience I'll never forget'",he says sadly. 

Despite his disability, which made it difficult for him to get around, Jabirou didn't give up, because he had a dream.

‘’ I dream of becoming a civil servant who serves others, especially people with disabilities. That's why, even before I received this tricycle, I persevered to go to school. Before, my disability was a heavy burden. Every morning, I'd wake up worrying about how I was going to get around and, in particular, how I was going to get to school. I had to crawl on the ground, facing big thorns, sharp stones, and the stifling heat of the burning ground,” he says.

Despite being born into a poor family, he still generated expenses for them due to his constant pain.

‘’I always had to go to bed early to wake up in time, but despite this, my body was always in pain, so I often had to go for treatment. It was even worse for my family, who couldn't afford it. They found it difficult to pay for my treatment. At one point, I even started begging to help cover the costs,” he adds, visibly saddened..

One day, new hope emerged for Jabirou. World Vision arrived with a sponsorship and development programme. Upon discovering Jabirou's situation, they decided to take action. One morning, Jabirou received a life-changing gift: a wonderful tricycle adapted for his disability. When he saw it, his eyes lit up with indescribable joy. For the first time, he could move around painlessly and attend school with dignity and confidence.

'' This tricycle is the greatest gift I've ever received because it's solved my greatest challenge. I can now move around freely, especially to get to school, and I no longer feel the thorns, heat or dampness of the ground.

Without this tricycle, I don't think I would have continued with school despite all my motivation and dreams, because the pain was too much, especially in hot weather like this and during the winter season,'' he says, shaking his head. 

‘’ I'm very grateful to World Vision and its donors for giving me this gift, which has enabled me to continue my studies. I thank them from the bottom of my heart!”

Thanks to World Vision's commitment to people with disabilities, not only can Jabirou get to school on his tricycle, he is also a role model in his community.

''Apart from providing me with a tricycle, World Vision has included me in many activities, particularly Kids Clubs, where I have attended various training and capacity-building sessions. I don't experience any discrimination because of my disability. I participate in activities without difficulty and have even become an RC Coach, leading sponsored children. In Dogo today, I am a leader and a role model for disabled children, and even non-disabled children look up to me and draw inspiration from me to abandon certain harmful practices. Now that I can get around easily with my tricycle, I'm planning to organise an awareness campaign to reach as many disabled children as possible in my commune’’ he says proudly.

It should be noted that the gift in kind has not only improved Jabirou's mobility, but also changed his life. He now feels ready to pursue his ambitions and dreams, undaunted by his disability. His story is testament to resilience and courage, and demonstrates the immense impact that a simple gesture can have on the life of a child and an entire community.