Six mothers of children with special needs and one other have been equipped with hairdressing skills through a collaboration between LOLA Hope Foundation and Farida Bedwei, a Ghanaian software engineer and advocate for persons with disabilities.

The mothers, selected from the Greater Accra region, underwent a six-week intensive training in hairstyling at LOLA Hair and Beauty College in Accra.

The programme was fully funded by Ms Bedwei, with additional support from the college in the form of discounted tuition.

Speaking to the media after a brief graduation ceremony on Friday, November 21, for the beneficiaries, Reverend Latifa Adekanla, founder of LOLA Hope Foundation, said the organisation’s mission is to empower vulnerable people in society.

One of its recent initiatives targeted parents of children with disabilities. Upon learning of the project, Ms Bedwei offered financial support, helping to bring the initiative to fruition.

“The foundation is all about empowering people who cannot do it on their own. When Farida heard about the programme, she wanted to empower mothers of children with disabilities,” Reverend Adekanla said, explaining that this partnership was born out of a shared vision.

Ms Bedwei noted that, over the years, many people with special needs have approached her for financial assistance. While she has raised funds to support them, she observed that financial aid alone is not sustainable. “So providing skills is a more sustainable way to empower these people,” she said.

According to Ms Bedwei, many mothers applied to be part of the programme, but participants were selected based on their commitment to learning the trade.

She urged mothers of children with special needs to dedicate quality time to their children and make sound investments in their development.

Reflecting on her own experience, Ms Bedwei, who lives with cerebral palsy, said her parents never abandoned her. They provided her with proper education and opportunities, which helped shape her success.

“They (parents) should follow a similar path to enable their children to thrive, regardless of their circumstances,” she said.

Ms Bedwei is a renowned software engineer, disability rights advocate, and entrepreneur with extensive experience in technology, microfinance, and digital innovation.

She has overcome significant challenges to become one of Ghana’s leading software engineers and has received several awards for her achievements.

Ms Bedwei and Reverend Adekanla are appealing for further support to expand the initiative to reach more vulnerable individuals across the country.

One of the beneficiaries, Mabel Asare, a mother to a child with special needs, shared her story: “Being a mother of a child with special needs is very difficult. When you go out, people are not always accepting. When you look for work and they learn about your child, they often turn their backs on you. In fact, we had little hope, but we are extremely grateful to Madam Farida and LOLA Hope Foundation for this opportunity.”

Another beneficiary said, “I was running a small shop, but because of my child’s condition, I am unable to leave home early to work, so the shop is not really running. I am very happy to be part of this group. Even at home, I can work and earn something.”

She added that with the income she hopes to generate from the skills she has acquired, she intends to make the right investments in her child’s future.