MOBILITY AID AND APPLIANCES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (MAARDEC)

Organizational Vision
Citizen Base Strategy
How It's Working
Lessons Learned

Organizational Vision

MAARDEC provides Nigerians with physical disabilities rehabilitation tools, institutional aid, and employment opportunities to overcome the challenges of their disabilities and lead productive lives. Ashoka Fellow Cosmas I.B. Okoli founded MAARDEC in 1991 primarily to research and develop low-cost mobility aids and appliances for the disabled but recognized that the venture could not be a traditional commercial unit. As a result, Okoli designed MAARDEC to both find ways to produce low-cost equipment and also to identify the support of organizations and individuals throughout Nigeria who could financially contribute to the operation and subsidize the cost of products. The Center designs, assembles, and repairs adapted devices at affordable subsidized rates or outright donation as well as focuses on building a support structure that enables personal empowerment and provides opportunities to succeed. MAARDEC receives consistent international and domestic recognition for its work. In 2006, Okoli was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year for Nigeria by the Schwab Foundation in collaboration with Business Day Nigeria. Okoli was also awarded the National Honors Award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in December 2006, entitling him to use the initials OON after his name. In 2005, MAARDEC was commissioned by Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control to conduct a nationwide study on victims of fake and adulterated food and drugs who suffered from a disability.

MAARDEC is focusing its future efforts on reaching organizational goals established by Okoli. The most immediate goals include building and equipping a functional empowerment village by the year 2008 and ensuring that 500,000 Nigerians with disability acquire sustainable mobility aid and appliances by the year 2015 with 4,000 of them employed, 2,000 of them married, and 200 of them elected into various federal, state and local government positions. In addition, the organization wants to ensure the financial autonomy within a period of five years in order to prevent permanent reliance on donors. Okoli and other Nigerians with disabilities are also nurturing a socio-political group ASCEND (Association for Comprehensive Empowerment of Nigerians with Disabilities that was founded in 2002.

Citizen Base Strategy

Foster organizational legitimacy through sponsor-recipient relationships

Okoli’s faced a great challenge in the philanthropic environment in Nigeria, as years of abuse of charity resulted in general mistrust of citizen sector organizations (CSO). “As a result,” recalls Okoli, “we implemented one core principle into all our fundraising: a strong and present connection between a donor and a recipient.” MAARDEC bases a core principle into all of its fundraising initiatives: develop and maintain a strong and present connection between the donor and recipient. MAARDEC establishes a venue for the sponsor and the recipient to meet—solidifying the relationship and bringing donors to see the importance of their support first-hand. In addition, direct interaction proves that contributions to MAARDEC are legitimate, overcoming the societal culture of mistrust in donating to CSOs. When handling requests for various aids and appliances from disabled Nigerians, the Center’s public relations department contacts prospective sponsors to fund production and always insists that donors physically present the device to the beneficiary. This personal interaction proves the legitimacy of the donation and forges relationships between Nigerian society and the disabled.

Focus communications energy on a single, highly visible event

MAARDEC implements a strategy of sponsor-recipient interaction most effectively through its REACH-OUT program day– an annual event that serves as MAARDEC’s primary fundraising function and place for sponsors and recipients to meet. Each celebration encompasses a theme, such as, “Celebration of Abilities in Disabilities,” which showcased a performance by Nigerian singer/songwriter Will Festus (on crutches) and a painting gallery of talented local artist and quadriplegic Idowu Akinrolabu. The event raised a total of N 1 million from 17 sponsors, including on-the-spot donors and follow-up donors.

The high level of publicity from REACH-OUT events also enhances MAARDEC reputation as a legitimate organization and attracts more substantial sponsorship. In past years, television broadcast and newspapers such as the Minaj Broadcasting Corporation, Champion Newspaper, and NTA Newsline have covered the event. MAARDEC also encourages popular local individuals to volunteer at REACH-OUT. This attraction of publicity forms another core strategy of the MAARDEC. Due the high expense of advertisements, the organization capitalizes on as many free radio, television, and newspaper opportunities as possible, while displaying and demonstrating their products at fairs, exhibitions and other public events. In addition, MAARDEC creates local programs and projects that attract sponsors and even forge partnerships with various local businesses and institutions. Current partners include Latter-Day Saint charities, First Bank of Nigeria PLC., Flour Mills Nigeria LTD., and Construction One Nigeria, LTD.

How It’s Working

• Organizational funding comes primarily from: product sales (42%), in-kind donations (27.2%), sale of services (10.2%), and company donations (7.3%).

• MAARDEC’s award winning innovation, “Cosokoli Hand Control Mobilizer,” which enables people with lower limb paralysis or amputees to drive, has been installed in over 200 cars.

• A micro-finance program is being created for the disabled. In 2005, 20 persons with disability received interest free loans to start businesses of their own.

• The center employs 9 disabled Nigerians and has assisted over 100 in getting jobs and setting up their own businesses.

Lessons Learned

• Look local for financial support and contributions. The potential lure of grants tends to overshadow the level of local resources potentially available to non-profit organizations.

• Diversify your approach. According to Okoli, organizational versatility and the adoption of a multi-dimensional approach allows MAARDEC to draw support from many constituencies. This increases the organization’s level of attractiveness to a wider variety of potential donors.

• Take advantage of opportunities to network. Never overlook or pass on the opportunity to capitalize on free publicity and network with individuals/organizations.

• Build local trust through respect. By always leading MAARDEC with integrity, especially in the public eye, Okoli gains the trust of potential sponsors and partners increases the organization’s support base.