The Irede Foundation (TIF) is a foundation established in 2012 by Crystal Chigbu to educate Nigerians on congenital and acquired limb loss, also on how to associate with and care for children with this kind of loss. The foundation provides free and subsidized artificial limbs for children who cannot afford them.[1] They focus on children within the ages of 0–18 years. The foundation has its laboratory in Lagos for assembling prosthetics.[2][3] The foundation was named the humanitarian foundation of the year in 2017 by Green October Event 2017.
Impacts and Projects
editSince the inception of The Irede Foundation, it has reportedly established contacts in over 40 locations globally, reaching out and giving direct support to over 15,000 people, as well as an indirect reach of about 10 million people globally. This has helped create awareness about limb loss and limb difference, which stimulates awareness about the work of the foundation and the support available for target stakeholders, raising funds to continue in empowering child amputees.[4] The foundation had also launched an Inclusive Education Project, to support and ensure that children living with disabilities can thrive while bringing their whole selves to the academic environment.[5][6][7] The foundation also recently launched a comic-book for children living with disabilities.[8]
Out-on-a-Limb
editThe foundation also has a global annual advocacy walk tagged "out-on-a-Limb." The advocacy walk spotlight and promote awareness for children living with disabilities and others fighting against peer discrimination.[7]
Advocacy
editThe Foundation frequently works closely with local governments to provide access to health care, as well as support for young amputees, saying the high cost of prosthetic limbs has made it impossible for a lot of people to get them when necessary.[9] The advocacy mantra of the Foundation is "No child should be out of school or limited due to a disability". The Foundation continually seeks to work with the government to provide subsidized prosthesis health care for children across the country. To this effect, in the past two years the foundation has launched an inclusive magazine for children which highlights disabilities in children, promotes inclusion, and discourages discrimination and bullying,[10]
Partnerships
editProcter and Gamble partnered with The Irede Foundation to launch the #limitless Project, which seeks to advance inclusive education by sensitizing teachers, parents, and even communities where all children can learn. The first edition of the organization's project was launched at an event at Ikeja Junior and Senior High School in Lagos, Nigeria.[11][12][13]
The #Limitless Project partnership aims to reach over 1,000 children living with disabilities in public schools over the next two years.[14]
Aspire Coronation Trust also partnered with The Irede Foundation to launch a Leadership Program for young persons with disabilities. The program is for young persons with disabilities between 18 - 30 in all locations across Nigeria. Funded by the Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, the Leadership Program is designed to equip persons living with a disability between the age of 18 - 30 with the required leadership knowledge, skill, and mindset overhaul on the possibilities of building and maintaining their desired career path.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ "Irede Foundation Presents Prosthetic Limbs to Beneficiaries – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ Aisha Salaudeen and Earl Nurse. "This woman is helping disabled children walk for the first time". CNN. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ "Profiling The Irede Foundation (TIF) on International Day of Persons with Disability 2019". NNNGO. 2019-12-04. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ Nwafor (2022-04-10). "Foundation gives out free 100 limbs to children with disability". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
- ^ "NGO donates 100 artificial limbs to children". Voice of Nigeria. 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ Chioma, Umeha (April 7, 2022). "Irede Foundation To Give 100 Nigerian Children Free Limbs".
- ^ a b "Foundation gives out free 100 limbs to children with disability". Vanguard News. 2022-04-10. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ "Profiling The Irede Foundation (TIF) on International Day of Persons with Disability 2019". NNNGO. 2019-12-04. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ III, Editorial (2019-07-11). "Irede foundation, Nivea seeks support for physically challenged children". Blueprint Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ "Foundation seeks government's support for amputees". Punch Newspapers. 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ Isaac, Nkechi (2022-01-31). "Procter & Gamble, Irede Foundation Partner On Inclusive Education". Science Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ "Irede creates conducive learning experiences for students with disability The Nation Newspaper". 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ Lashem, Favour (2022-01-31). "P&G partners Irede Foundation to advance inclusive education". Newsdiaryonline. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ "Procter and Gamble Nigeria partners Irede Foundation on #Limitless Project to support children with disabilities | Perkins Global Community". Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ "The IREDE Foundation Leadership Program". www.youthlead.org. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
- ^ "IREDE Foundation 2021-2022 Leadership Program for People with Disabilities - Nigeria". Scholarship Air. Retrieved 2022-06-24.