We need help to live our university dreams – Visually impaired ladies

Favour Bohembe and Dooshima Nyior are bonded by same affliction – visual impairment. They have struggled through primary and secondary schools and now strongly feel that they can acquire university education.

In an interview with Daily Trust Saturday in Makurdi, the two ladies tell their story and passion to acquire university education.

They have both been offered admission to study at the University of Jos and Federal University of Lafia respectively, after successfully passing the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam. However, they need financial assistance to make their dreams come true.

Favour, 25, lost her sight at the age of 10 following an undetected glaucoma.

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She presently lives in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State with her mother who cannot raise the needed money to further her tertiary education at the Federal University, Lafia.

“I want good spirited individuals to assist us (Dooshima and I) in paying our school fees and other special facilities we may need in the course of schooling. I’m from Buruku LGA of the state but live in Gboko with my mother after losing my father.

“I lost my sight at the age of 10. I had glaucoma and my parents didn’t know about it on time. By the time we began to seek treatment, it was too late; my eyes were gone. Today, I don’t have any regrets but just want to further my education so I can become a teacher in future,” Favour said.

On her part, Dooshima, 22, revealed that her vision impairment was due to measles when she was six-months old. She solicited for financial assistance from the public in order to pursue her dream of getting a university education from the University of Jos, Plateau State.

Dooshima said, “I have been offered admission at the University of Jos. I want to go, learn and become a graduate who will in turn impact positively on my society.”

Meanwhile, Antaav Kume, a legal practitioner/humanitarian activist and caregiver, who brought the situation of the duo to the limelight, noted that both girls were in dire need for help to live their education dreams.

He explained, “Miss Dooshima Nyior and Favour Bohembe are all young persons living with blindness as a permanent disability. The two young ladies have completed their secondary education at the Special School for Exceptional Children in Aliade.

“Dooshima and Favour have gained admissions in the Department of Special Education at the University of Jos, and Special Need Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State respectively.

“Due to their respective and common challenges, they require public and philanthropic support by way of donations and scholarships to realise their dreams,” Kume explained.