Michael founded Raising Star Africa in 2020 to educate young people with disabilities in Nigeria. He renovates and installs specialist equipment in schools to make them accessible, trains teachers in disability inclusion, and runs skills empowerment programmes to enable young people with disabilities to develop confidence.
Michael was a Delegate Speaker at the Summit in Belfast. This gave him the opportunity to advocate for people with disabilities globally and collaborate with other young leaders.
So far, Raising Star Africa has renovated and equipped five schools making them inclusive and accessible. This has resulted in 2,500 disabled children and young people receiving four years of education. Another programme delivers vocational training once a week to 250 young people with disabilities. Training includes cooking, graphic design, tailoring, digital literacy, coding, repurposing recycled goods, shoe and furniture making. Life skills training once a month for a further 3,800 disabled young people includes understanding identity, personal and menstrual hygiene, the law, and basic human rights. Volunteers also take students and young people with disabilities to shopping malls and museums to broaden their social skills and outlook.
Michael also hosts public advocacy events. This Ability and Sport Fest are one-day annual festivals that have showcased the talent, potential, and sporting prowess of 2,500 young people with disabilities. They also serve to reduce societal stigma related to disability. At these events, policymakers and local community leaders are invited to gain a deeper understanding of disability needs and how policies can be more inclusive.
Next year Michael is collaborating with a One Young World Ambassador from Germany. They will provide laptops to deliver more digital skills training and web-based learning opportunities for children with disabilities.
