Teenagers in Nigeria marked World Children’s Day by attending the launch of a new project that will give them the creative skills they need to start their own business.

Sightsavers’ corporate partner Spectrum Markets is supporting the economic empowerment project, which is offering 15 teenage girls with disabilities from Kaduna State the chance to learn knitting, baking, soap and candle-making, and fashion design.

People with disabilities, particularly women and girls, are less likely to be employed due to stigma and discrimination around disability. Sightsavers supports people with disabilities to find work and gain independence by providing vocational training and skills.

Delivered by Sightsavers’ partner the Industrial Training Fund, the teenagers are receiving training in their chosen trade and have also attended workshops with their families on safeguarding and disability awareness.

Eighteen-year old Sadiya, who has a physical disability, said: “I’m happy and excited because I have this opportunity to learn how to sew. I’m confident that my life will become better and that I can take care of myself and my family, and even support my community. That’s why I’m grateful to God and Sightsavers for this opportunity.”

Fatima, who is 18 and has albinism, is also learning new skills. Her father Tukur said: “I’m very happy that Fatima has this opportunity to learn soap and candle-making. She’s memorised the names of all the items required to make soap. As it is, we won’t need to buy detergents anymore, and this is already making me happy.”

Spectrum Markets joined Sightsavers as a corporate partner in April 2021 and has been supporting our work in Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

The partnership between Sightsavers and Spectrum Markets ended on 31 December 2024.