The Irede Foundation (TIF), a disability-focused non-profit organization, established to inspire action so child amputees and their families can live independent and limitless lives, has announced its 2 kilo-meter annual awareness walk which also coincides with the celebration of its 9th anniversary.
In a Press briefing organized ahead of the walk, the Executive Director, Mrs. Crystal Chigbu shared that “in the past 9 years, the Irede Foundation has held the Out-On-A-Limb Awareness Walk in the Month of April, a month dedicated to raising awareness for “Limb Loss” globally and also raise funds for children living with limb loss in Nigeria”.
“The 2022 out on a limb event themed “IREDIANS” is a 2 kilo-meter annual awareness walk across several locations around the world simultaneously. It aims to bring the attention of society to the challenges faced by children with limb loss and persons with disabilities (PWDs) while promoting the inclusion and participation of PWDs across board”, Chigbu said.
She stated further that the event is to promote the first ever disability comic book in Africa launched in November 2021. “The Iredians showcases the active leadership and participation of children with disabilities fighting against the discrimination of their peers,” she added.
In addition, the Director of Programs, Ms. Wuraola Kayode informed BONews correspondent that the foundation has launched an inclusive magazine for children which highlights disabilities in children, promotes inclusion, and discourages discrimination and bullying.
Sharing some of the impacts of the organisation, Kayode explained that “we have given over 250 limbs to children across Nigeria, and we also launched the Inclusive Education Project which ensures children with disabilities are able to thrive whilst bringing their whole selves to the academic environment.”
She highlighted that in years past, “the family-friendly walk has had in attendance notable individuals such as His Excellence, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alibaba, Adenike Oyetunde, Kate Henshaw, YAW Naija, Rosemary Ajuka, Segun Dangote, Late Tosin Bucknor and many more influential personalities. This year, the physical walk will have in attendance a myriad of influential personalities, media personalities, and government stakeholders among many others”
She further indicated that the foundation is “seizing the opportunity to call on individuals, corporate and government bodies to join in the walk which comes up on April 9 2022 by registering via “bit.ly/ooal2022register,” whilst also committing to support and sustain the work of the foundation by partnering with us on any of our projects or sponsoring child amputees.”