The Association of Handicapped Persons of Ogooué-Maritime (APHOM) organized on Saturday, July 30, in partnership with the Ogooué-Maritime section of the Confederation of Artisans and Small Enterprises of Gabon (CAPEG), in its headquarters in Port-engineering, a large exhibition and sale of products, some of which were made by members of this confederation living with a disability. Clothes, decorative objects and other fashion accessories were offered to the visitors.

visitors. An exhibition-sale that is part of the will of both partners to work for the empowerment of people living with disabilities.

<<Today, we decided to accompany them so that they present the genius-creator that is in them. Regardless of their disabilities, they have a lot to give and today we are not disappointed with all the achievements that have been made by these artisans. You have bags woven by hand by a blind woman, it is warm to the heart>>, said Rita BEAL, President of the CAPEG.

The visitors took pleasure in discovering the objects exposed, proof of a real know-how of the craftsmen living with a handicap. One of the customers, André EKANG MINKO, did not hide his joy:

<<They come here to show what they know and can do with their hands. After visiting the different stands, what happiness! There are all kinds of handmade things: bags, species of "glasses" made of coconut and bouquets of flowers. What happiness!

For Pierre MANDZANGA, President of APHOM, the handicap should not be an obstacle to the exercise of an activity. He considers that the members of APHOM who exhibited should be models that can motivate others who think they are disabled. Among them are a few women.

<< They are not many but, there are a few who stand out. And these few become engines, mentors to boost the others. But, as they say, "the vase can only hold its capacity", not everyone is supposed to fill up to 200 liters >>, he acknowledged. Through their various achievements, people with disabilities participate in the national economy. They have been invited to exhibit in Omboué, on the banks of the Nkomie lagoon, on 14, 15, 16 and 17 August,

as part of the Nandipo festival.