3 December is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year, 2024, a celebration was held for us on that day at St Mary’s Rehabilitation and Development Centre in Ipetumodu, Nigeria, under the leadership of the owner of the noble institution, Bishop John Akinkunmi Oyejola of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo.
The school was founded some 36 years ago, on 5 November 1988. Since its creation, under the direction and coordination of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, the school has catered for three categories of disabled people: the intellectually disabled, the physically disabled and the hearing impaired, on the basis of primary education and vocational training. Sisters Lydia Ewereoke and Bridget Anyam are the two Daughters of the Holy Spirit currently working there.
We joined the world in celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the theme ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’. The celebration began with Holy Mass at 10am, presided over by Bishop John Akin Oyejola. In attendance were priests from the diocese, Sister Clementina Emeghara representing the Vice-Provincial of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, other Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Sisters Servant of the Poor of the Child Jesus, parents, guardians, special guests, invited schools and other supporters.
The Reverend Father Femi Adetunji said in his homily that when injustice surrounds us, peace does not reign. With regard to this year’s theme, we all need peace and justice because it is impossible to serve God in the midst of chaos. Drawing on today’s first reading, where the wolf dwells with the lamb and the child can play in the hole of the asp (Isaiah 11:6), he said that the time can come when we allow peace to reign, especially in our hearts, homes and communities, by giving the image of love everywhere. He encouraged everyone to celebrate Christmas with the students at the rehabilitation and development centre. In conclusion, he said: ‘Whether we are strong or weak, we are all united in Christ’. He called on us not to neglect the disabled in our midst.
After Mass, the bishop, priests, religious and other guests made their way to the new unit, which was inaugurated by Bishop John Akin Oyejola. In her welcome address, Sister Lydia Eweronke underlined the efforts and support of all the benefactors: the bishop, priests, friends, parishes, churches and the Emi Kola Foundation for this centre. Reporting on the progress made by the children at the centre, she announced that six of the disabled children had graduated from secondary school, and that three of them had been admitted to a vocational training centre. Some of them are also moving on from secondary school to the special education college in Oyo. She also mentioned a number of challenges, including feeding pupils, the ongoing struggle to pay workers’ salaries, school fees and accommodation for students in secondary and tertiary institutions, insufficient funds for the purchase of professional equipment, and maintenance of the school bus…. -again, the rise in the price of oil has been a daily nightmare-, the lack of special educators and physiotherapists due to the high cost of their requests. Sr Lydia therefore asked everyone present to help the school meet these needs. Finally, she urged the parents/guardians of these pupils to trust God more, because God cares for them and will never abandon them.
In conclusion, disability is the result of the interaction between impairment and environmental factors, as this Centre makes clear: ‘Discover your abilities so you can get the most out of life’.
Long live Sainte-Marie! Long live the Daughters of the Holy Spirit! Long live the Diocese of Osogbo!
By Sister Lydia Ewereoke, DHS. Published on 15 December 2024
