Born without hands, Murjanatu still smiles at life

How do you cope with life despite your physical challenges? (Smiling) I do almost everything a woman does at home, despite having no hands. I bathe myself, apply my make-up afterwards, wear clothes, cook food, and so on using my legs. Do you go to school? No, I don’t. Not because I don’t want to […]

How do you cope with life despite your physical challenges?
(Smiling) I do almost everything a woman does at home, despite having no hands. I bathe myself, apply my make-up afterwards, wear clothes, cook food, and so on using my legs.

Do you go to school?
No, I don’t. Not because I don’t want to seek knowledge but because my parents can’t support me due to their financial status. But if I can get support, I would definitely go to school. I can learn how to write using my feet.
Many men came on the pretence of wanting to marry me. With time, I discovered that they were only coming to take advantage of my physical deformity to sexually exploit me. But I turned down many of those fake marriage proposals. But if I find a genuine man with real intentions to marry me, then I would not object.
I’d always tell those hawks calling themselves men that despite my disability, I cherish my pride as a girl. I will never go down that path despite my family’s poor financial status.

Can you tell us more about such an unpleasant encounter you’ve had?
I remember one man who once told me he had sympathy for me. He said he was willing to assist me by taking me to one chairman at Tudun Wada area of Gusau metropolis who could buy me prosthetic limbs or empower me financially. I informed my parents and they agreed I should go with him. He came on a motorbike and I went with him alongside my five-year-old brother, but he instead took us to his house.
When he invited me into his room, I suspected foul play. He asked my brother to go and buy sachet water for us. He obviously wanted to rape me in the absence of the little boy. I asked the boy not to go and began to cry. He became angry and asked me to leave his house since I did not want him to help me. That was how I escaped it.

Do you beg on the streets?
No, I don’t. And I would never go begging, Insha Allah. I’m content with what my parents do. But if government or any kind-hearted individual wants to empower me, then I will welcome it. I can do a little business to take care of myself and even other members of my family.