A wonderful tricycle transforms the life of young Jabirou

A wonderful tricycle transforms the life of young Jabirou

It's 11 a.m. under the blazing sun in the village of Dogo, in the Zinder region of Niger, and Jabirou, an 18-year-old with a locomotor disability, is getting around proudly and easily on his tricycle. Born into a family of 9 children, Jabirou tells us his story, which 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 lucky enough to have good friends too, although some 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.

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

‘’ I have a dream of becoming a civil servant who will serve others, especially the disabled. That's why even before I received this tricycle I persevered to go to school. Before, my disability was a heavy burden for me. Every morning I'd get up worrying about how I was going to get around, and especially how I was going to get to school. I had to crawl on the ground to move forward, to face the big thorns, the sharp stones and the stifling heat of the burning ground,” he says.

Born into a poor family, the constant pain still generated expenses for his family.

‘’ I always had to go to bed before everyone else to wake up in time, but despite this, my body was always in pain, which meant I had to go often for treatment. Worse still for my family, who couldn't afford it, it was always difficult for them to pay for my treatments. At one point, I even started begging to help the family with my expenses,” he says sadly.

One day, new hope sprang up for Jabirou. World Vision arrived with a sponsorship and development program. When they discovered Jabirou's situation, they decided to act. One morning, Jabirou received a gift that would transform his life: a wonderful tricycle adapted to his disability. On discovering it, his eyes lit up with indescribable joy. For the first time, he could get around without pain, and go to school without fear, with dignity and confidence.

'' Receiving this tricycle has been the greatest gift I've ever received, because for a long time it's been the solution I'd been hoping for to my greatest challenge. I can move around freely now, especially to get to school, and I no longer feel the thorns, the heat or the dampness of the ground. 

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

‘’ I'm very grateful to World Vision, whose donors have given me this gift so that I can continue my studies. I thank them from the bottom of my heart!’’

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

''Apart from my tricycle, World Vision has integrated me into many activities, especially in Kids Clubs, where I have received several training and capacity-building sessions. I don't feel any rejection linked to my disability, I take part in activities without difficulty and have even become an RC Coach (leader of sponsored children). Today in Dogo, I've become a leader, a role model for disabled children, but even for the non-disabled, many of them draw inspiration from me to abandon certain harmful practices. I can get around easily now with my tricycle, so I'm even planning to organize an awareness campaign soon 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 changed Jabirou's mobility, it has changed his life. He now feels ready to face his ambitions, to pursue his dreams without his disability being a limit. His story is a testimony to resilience, courage and the immense impact that a simple gesture can have on the life of a child and an entire community.