Adama Yarima Balla became a rolemodel in Nigeria

Never being ablie to stand on your own two feet again and you are always in a wheelchair. Adama Yarima Balla (47) knows what that's like. Since she was 15 months old she is in a wheelchair because she got polio and then she had to rebuild her life.

28 August 2024

Adama wants to eradicate polio

‘I want to inspire people who are in a similar situation’

Adama Yarima Balla (47) lives in Nigeria and survived Polio. The effects of the disease still visible as of today. Forced to be in a wheelchair because her feet are not how they used to be. They are totally deformed and won’t allow her to stand.

Despite of the situation life threw at her she pursued her education in regular schools. She eventually became a professional teacher. A year ago, We are Able! came to her attention. ZOA asked if she wanted to be a part of the project as she is working as an Executive Director of a Disability-led Civil Society Organisation called ‘ZADAYA Kanem and polio initiative’.

She was very happy to take part in the project. As part of the We are Able! project she dreams of inspiring persons with disabilities. “I particularly want to inspire my fellow polio survivors.”

She continues: “I want to fight to eradicate polio and to empower fellow polio survivors and give them hope.” She does this by coaching polio survivors, but also by coordinating the training of beneficiaries at ZADAYA Kanem and polio initiative. Her organization is one of the many organisations ZOA works with in Nigeria.

Happiness found again

Adama found a way to reclaim happiness and live a meaningfull live. “I am a sociable individual, adept at communication and interaction across diverse age groups, religions, and ethnicities.”

She now is a big help for the ZOA We are Able! Project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands. “I excel in delivering compelling public speeches, and my skills extend to being an attentive listener, thoughtful planner, and effective project executor.”

Fewer rights

In Nigeria, people with disabilities have fewer rights than in countries like the Netherlands. Through the We are Able! project, which is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in which ZOA collaborates with five other organizations, aims to improve the social position of people with disabilities in Nigeria, among other places. Not only by improving their social position and offering support in the places where they live. But also by helping them to earn an income so that they can build a livelihood.

Together, we can help people like Adama in Nigeria. With the We are Able! project, we can make a difference and improve the position of people with disabilities.