Anike Mlemchukwu - Building an inclusive community to ease stigmas surrounding children with disabilities.
To celebrate Black History Month, and to champion black voices and businesses all year round, we spoke to some social impact entrepreneurs about the impactful work they are doing, and those who inspire them to do more.
“ There are so many challenges around children with additional needs. This exists in various areas, especially in developing countries. ”
– Anike Mlemchukwu
Founded by Anike Mlemchukwu, Lapapo Special Needs is the one-stop shop for caring for children with special needs. They curate products and services for those with disabilities and are dedicated to building a supportive community with an inclusive future for all children at its forefront.
Anike founded Lapapo after 12 years of working as a support worker and teacher to children who have special needs, seeing first-hand the problems faced by caregivers. Anike is passionate about changing how we see and care for children with disabilities and is determined to make a difference in this space.
1. Anike, can you tell us more about Lapapo Special Needs and what you do?
Lapapo is a marketplace for carers of children with special needs. It connects carers to a range of products for needs such as autism, anxiety, incontinence, and cerebral palsy. The aim is to reduce the challenges of caring for a child with special needs by curating a variety of products from an array of vendors.
“The aim is to reduce the challenges of caring for a child with special needs.”
2. What inspired you to start Lapapo?
I have worked with children in a range of settings for the past twelve years. I constantly observed challenges faced by carers. Observing how challenging it was to care for a child with special needs led me to want to do more. That is where the idea for Lapapo stemmed from.
“It’s always the same message. It’s about peoples’ plight in these places, and what can we do to try and regain the idea that they’re people and not just a statistic that you walk by. ”
Photo Credit: Anike Mlemchukwu
3. What kind of impact do you hope Lapapo will have in the future?
I hope Lapapo develops into the go-to platform for carers around the world who are facing challenges with their child(ren).
There are so many challenges around children with additional needs. This exists in various areas, especially in developing countries.
My dream is to be as big as companies like Deliveroo, Google and Amazon. I aim to continue researching, developing and adapting Lapapo until it can become that; and ease the stigma, anxieties and challenges around children with special needs.
“I aim to continue researching, developing and adapting Lapapo; and ease the stigma, anxieties and challenges around children with special needs. ”
4. Do you have any role models or someone you look to that you think is championing positive change?
Some of my role models include Oprah and Michelle Obama. I just love the image they represent of a Black woman. They are both strong, motivational and use their voice for a positive impact in the world.
I also look up to Issa Rae. I love her story. It shows that impact is not always a straight, easy road but it is definitely possible.
“Impact is not always a straight, easy road but it is definitely possible.”
5. This year's Black History Month theme was “proud to be”. What are you proud to be?
I am proud to be resilient, loving, determined and me.
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