John  Avoka  is  a  physically  challenged  client  of  the  Project. He hails from Kugzua  within the Garu-Tempane District  of  the  Upper  East  Region.

John  was  born  about  37 years  ago  without  any  form  of  impairment  or disability. At age five, he  took  ill in what appeared to be severe Cerebral Spinal Meningitis (CSM)  combined  with  stroke resulting  in  paralysis  of  his  lower limbs. Soon after  sustaining  the  disability, he  was  neglected  and  was  never  sent  to school.

Indeed, when  he was  identified  by  the  Programme  some few years ago, he looked  dejected ,helpless and  hopeless. The  programme  immediately  offered  him  a tricycle to facilitate  his  mobility. His  family and  community  members   also  received  sensitization  about  the  need  for  his  care  and  integration  to  enable  him  unearth  his  potential  and realize  them  to the  fullest. The  results  was positive   as he began  receiving  necessary  support  and  attention  from  his  family  and community.  

The  Programme  subsequently  offered  to  train  him in agricultural  skills which  he  picked  up  very  fast  to  the admiration of all. Also, the  programme through the  PWS&D,   supported him  with  a  donkey  cart  which  is  used to transport  farm inputs  and produce . He  is  presently  a  lucrative    maize  farmer   and  earns  over  40 bags  of  maize   per  annum. His  achievement  caught  the  attention   of  the  Ministry  of  Food  and  Agriculture (MOFA)  and  he  was  chosen   for best  farmer  award  by  government in 2013.

He looks cheerful, confident andfull of hope and optimism. No doubt he is presently a role model to people with disabilities in and around his vicinity. He is an executive member of the Disabled People’s Organization (DPO) of Kugzua. He is married to beautiful non-disabled lady and they have two issues.