Tse Agberagba in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue state was our major stop for the day, where we met with Recipient #17, Mrs. Mary Iortyomn. She is a petty trader and tailor. Tse Agberagba is about 1 hour's drive from Makurdi where we had spentthe night on coming in from Taraba state yesterday.
Mary trades during the day time and likes to catch up on her sewing jobs in the evenings. However, making do with the dim, flickering light of a kerosene lantern had become a big strain on her eyes. Having to buy kerosene also left her with not much in her purse at the end of the month. She was determined to be independednt, and would rather not ask her daughter, Vera (a teacher in Makurdi) to supplement her income from petty trading and sewing. But she knows she must preserve her eyes in order to continue her trade.
As has become the practise, we asked Mary to show us her kerosene lantern. The lantern emerged and it was easy to see why such poor lighting could damage her eyes. Constantly bending over the lantern would also cause her to inhale dangerous fumes, exposing her to chest infections. Having seen her circumstances, we were convinced Mary was a good candidadte for receiving our solar lamp. She will also find the lamp useful in tending to her goat (yes, just the one goat) and chickens in the animal hut just opposite her home. Even during the day time the hut, which one has to double up to enter, is pitch black.
One other thing? Word spreads fast in the village about strangers visiting. In no time, one of Mary's customers, Juliana Abulus, ran in to share the joy of Mary receiving a solar lamp, adding quickly that if Mary didn't mind, she (Juliana) might need to use the phone charging unit of the lamp from time to time.
Our work was done!
This trip marks the end of our tour of Northern Nigeria. Next, we head to the South East, South South, and South West regions, starting from Enugu tomorrow.
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