Lydia Wetsi

Lydia Wetsi, from the Volta Region of Ghana, was stung by an insect when she was three years old, whilst attending a funeral. Inappropriate medical care in her village resulted in a severe contraction of her right arm and deformity of her right hand. Bleeding constantly from the age of three to 13, she was found working in a cloth market in Agormanya (near Kpong) in Ghana, West Africa, and given the opportunity to learn about aircraft and engineering at the AvTech Academy by Patricia Mawuli. Lydia, despite less than 2 years of formal education, then went on to achieve a 3.1 out of a maximum of 4 in the AvTech Academy Diploma of Aviation and Technology in June 2012. During her course she was sponsored to undergo surgery for her right arm contracture to enable her to advance her flying lessons. She is awaiting surgery on her right hand to improve her chances of flying without aircraft modifications. Lydia regularly flies the Zenith CH701 aircraft, and acts as a drop master for aerial supply runs to rural areas in Ghana. Lydia aims to complete her pilots licence in 2014 and to demonstrate the power of young West African women, including disabled West African young women!