Resilience and Commitment in Action
Polio survivor Kimba Niandou uses his personal story to show the real impact of the disease and encourage parents to vaccinate. His powerful testimony resonates deeply, driving renewed community commitment.
KIMBA NIANDOU, A SYMBOL OF RESILIENCE AND COMMITMENT TO POLIO ERADICATION
Niandou is one of many victims forever condemned to bear the scars of poliomyelitis. In his fifties, born in Dosso, married, and father of six, he embodies resilience and dedication in the fight against this disabling disease. For about a decade, he has worked alongside Dosso’s health authorities, striving for a polio-free Niger.
Niandou’s story is deeply intertwined with polio. He describes it as a disease that left an indelible mark on his family:
“My memories are vivid. Back then, my two older brothers and I fell ill at the same time with identical symptoms: paralysis in our lower limbs. After several days of battling the disease, by the grace of God, my eldest brother recovered and regained the use of his legs. Unfortunately, my second brother wasn’t as lucky—he succumbed to the illness. From that point on, with my left leg paralyzed, I lost my dream of finishing my studies.”
“(…) sacrificing my future dream—pursuing higher education and becoming a geologist.”
With a twinge of regret, he shares:
“In my family, all my brothers and sisters completed their studies; they’re all civil servants! Sadly, I didn’t have that chance. I had to stop studying in CM2 (fifth year of primary school) in 1986, after obtaining my primary school certificate. The only middle school (CEG5) authorized to accept Franco-Arabic students was located 139 kilometers from Dosso, in Niamey. Because of my significant mobility challenges, my parents—reluctantly—had to sacrifice my future dream, which was to pursue higher education and become a geologist.”
Far from being broken, his motto remained the same: keep moving forward.
“After this abrupt change, I turned to vocational training and studied welding. Thanks to that training, I became the owner of a welding workshop and hired two assistants. This work now enables me to meet my own needs and my family’s in a dignified manner.”
Alongside his job, Niandou wages another battle: helping end the circulation of the polio virus. As part of his commitment, he raises his voice during information and community engagement meetings, on radio broadcasts, in villages and neighborhoods he has traveled to in great number, and in discussions with resistant parents. Wherever his resolve takes him, he testifies about this disease and its consequences for both families and society.
“I am living proof that polio exists.”
In his efforts to convince hesitant parents, Niandou relies on his personal story:
“I am the living proof that polio exists, that it’s not a figment of the imagination. My story is a life lesson that I’m happy to share with all parents during my awareness-raising activities. For me, it’s a way to put a face to this disease and talk about its consequences, which go far beyond the physical toll on those affected.”
To combat rumors circulating in the community and on digital platforms about the polio vaccine, Niandou is reassuring:
“I trust this vaccine. Since it became available, there have been fewer polio cases—it’s obvious.”
Proud to be part of a noble cause, Niandou says:
“When Niger was certified free of wild poliovirus circulation in 2016, I felt personally involved in that victory! It was the culmination of many years of fighting—a fight I took part in.”
Our champion doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon:
“I see myself as a soldier on a mission—to save lives from polio.”
To achieve his vision for Niger’s children, he calls for strengthened partner engagement alongside the relevant authorities. Beyond that, for other actors like himself, he requests support through incentives and backing measures so that community stakeholders remain mobilized against polio.
Writing Team:
• Raissa Edwige Vanian, Chief of SBC Section
• ABBA Dan Dibi Haroune, SBC Specialist, Niamey
• Pie Roger Bofunga Lohandjola, Stop Team 54, UNICEF Niger
• ADAMOU MOUSSA Hadiza, National Consultant
Photo Credits: ©UNICEF Niger/ Dosso, April 2024/Hadiza ADAMOU