The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) has signed a grant of $91, 464 to benefit the Physically Handicapped Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State (PHAN-Kaduna). The grant, according to report from the American embassy in the country, will be used to create income generating opportunities for members of the association.

After signing the grant, USADF President, Lloyd Pierson, said it was the aim of USADF to identify and work with marginalised and under-served populations in Sub-Saharan Africa, helping them to become economically self-sufficient, adding that the grant is designed to work with the handicapped in Nigeria to become self-sufficient.

The report noted that the Physically Handicapped Association of Nigeria (PHAN) is the apex organization for all associations of the physically handicapped in the country, while PHAN-Kaduna represents the chapter in Kaduna state, a northern state in Nigeria.

The report explained that the physically handicapped are one of the most marginalized groups in northern Nigeria, which formed the basis for the formation of PHAN-Kaduna to provide support to the physically handicapped of Kaduna State and help them develop skills so they can participate in the local economy and become self-sufficient.

It pointed out that PHAN-Kaduna has provided vocational training for physically handicapped in tailoring and metalworking in view of the growing market demand for tailored goods and construction, noting that members of the association, however, needed more support to turn their skills into income generating activities.

The statement also explained that the $91,464 grant, which will be expended over a period of two years, will help augment the organisation's capacity to support tailoring and metal work operations, adding that the fund will be used specifically to establish metal work and tailoring workshops; purchase equipment, and provide technical assistance and capacity building.

PHAN-Kaduna, it disclosed, will contribute $4,233 to cover the cost of labour at the metal works and tailoring workshops and the purchase of embroidery and sewing machines.

The report also noted that USADF started programming in Nigeria in 2001, while its current portfolio stands at twenty-one investment projects totaling nearly $3.7 million.