Faida

Unfortunately, with the outbreak of the Ebola disease, things have become even more challenging. The roads to the market have been blocked, people avoid crowded places and many stay indoors. For me, getting to the market is already difficult because of my disability and it has become almost impossible during this outbreak. I can no longer buy materials and supplies I need to make soap. Without supplies, my soap business has come to a standstill. Before Ebola I could go to the market to buy mangoes and guavas and bring them back to the village to sell, but I cannot do that anymore. 

The women in my class and trainers have been my support system. We shared ideas and worries, encouraged one another and learned together. But because of the disease, we cannot meet as we used to. I miss the advice and the strength we gave each other. I live in fear all the time. We do not have enough food because we cannot go out, and I cannot even go to the hospital when I am sick.

Being disabled has deepened the discrimination I face during this outbreak. When we are called to attend Ebola awareness sessions in our village, it is difficult for me to participate as a disabled person. Going to those gatherings is not easy and sometimes I stay home because I feel it is not safe. Some people look at me as if I were a burden, and I would not understand how to protect myself from Ebola. The outbreak did not just threaten my health; it reminded me of the barriers I have faced all my life. 

Despite the many disabled people in our community, there is no door-to-door Ebola awareness outreach. The only information I have received on how to protect myself from Ebola has come from Women for Women International. We were advised to wash our hands regularly, keep our distance from others, avoid crowds and limit unnecessary movement. Women for Women International also gave us soap for handwashing and encouraged us to visit the hospital if we develop a fever. 

Our hospital and the facilities being put in place, such as handwashing stations, are not disability-friendly. We need handwashing stations we can reach and health information we can access. Our community includes people with different kinds of disabilities. Some cannot move without assistance, and when they visit hospitals, they need someone to carry them or help them wash their hands. Because the hospitals are not accessible, people with disabilities may not receive help if no one is available to assist them. 

My hope for the future is that people like me will not be an afterthought during emergencies or community programmes. I also hope that things will go back to normal so I can continue making soap to earn income and take care of my children.