Our Story
About We Are Special Foundation
Empowering individuals with disabilities, orphans, and marginalized communities to achieve self-reliance.
Shamsiyyah Umar
Founder & Executive Director
The Origin
A Personal Journey Turned Global Mission
Shamsiyyah Umar, the Founder of We Are Special Foundation, was inspired to help others after experiencing disability herself at the young age of 11. Overcoming the inherent challenges and stigmas attached to her journey fueled a deep, unshakeable commitment to empower other individuals facing similar hurdles.
Believing fiercely that everyone has the right to achieve their dreams—despite their physical or social circumstances—she established this foundation to ensure that individuals with disabilities, orphans, and internally displaced persons are never left behind.
From humble beginnings advocating for inclusion, the foundation has grown to support thousands across Nigeria, proving that with the right education, empowerment, and opportunity, physical limitations are merely a stepping stone to greatness.
Who We Are
Mission, Vision & Objectives
The strategic pillars that direct every project and initiative we undertake.
Our Mission
To promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities and uplift social status through educational programs, skill acquisition initiatives, digital literacy, and financial assistance. We partner with local and international organizations to make individuals fully self-reliant and empowered.
Our Vision
To support at least 20% of the 26 million people living with disabilities in Nigeria. We envision a world that achieves its sustainable development goals by providing healthcare, inclusive education, and robust empowerment to those historically marginalized.
Core Objectives
- Make education inclusive for people with disabilities and marginalized communities worldwide.
- Promote financial independence through localized skill acquisition programs.
- Ensure a secure and flourishing environment for growth and development.
- Combat marginalization and foster a strong sense of community belonging.
Educational Support
Creating libraries, donating materials, and providing inclusive literacy programs.
Digital Empowerment
Equipping individuals with coding, marketing, and essential modern tech skills.
Environmental Sustainability
Upcycling and recycling waste into functional accessories and wealth.
Disability Advocacy
Fighting stigma and pushing for political, social, and economic inclusion.
Focus Areas
Building Capacity Across the Spectrum
Our interventions encompass a wide spectrum of humanitarian focus areas designed specifically to break the traditional charitable model and replace it with sustainable individual growth.
By addressing educational deficits, bridging the digital divide, mitigating climate change risks through green skills, and pushing back against systemic stigma, we create holistic pathways for marginalized communities to thrive on their own terms.
Explore Our ProjectsGlobal Strategy
Sustainable Development Goals
We ensure that every micro-level intervention ladders up to the macro-level United Nations global targets.
SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being
Advocating for improved healthcare and tackling mental health stigmas.
SDG 4: Quality Education
Providing inclusive learning materials and accessible literacy programs.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
Empowering women and girls through specialized bootcamps and business training.
SDG 8: Decent Work
Skill acquisition and financial assistance driving robust economic growth.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequality
Combating all forms of marginalization and promoting profound social inclusion.
SDG 13: Climate Action
Driving positive sustainability through our Art from Waste upcycling initiatives.
Our Philosophy: Empowerment Over Aid
We fundamentally reject the concept that persons with disabilities require permanent charitable dependencies. Our strategy is entirely geared towards skill acquisition, entrepreneurial incubation, and educational advocacy.
By establishing empowerment centers and organizing high-level developmental summits, we are transitioning our beneficiaries from aid recipients to robust economic contributors, taxpayers, and future political leaders. The ultimate goal of our foundation is to render its own aid unnecessary.
Join Us on Our Journey
Whether you represent a corporate body, a governmental agency, or you are an empathetic individual matching our vision — your involvement catalyzes monumental change.