14 Apr 2014

Parliament has been informed that 15 young people living with disability have benefited from the Youth Development Fund (YDF) at a cost of over P1 million since its inception in 2009/2010.

Answering a question from MP for Shoshong, Mr Phillip Makgalemele, Acting Minister of Sports Youth and Culture, Mr Vincent Seretse said he expected young people living with disabilities to benefit even more following the introduction of the Local Procurement Scheme which provides for a 20 per cent reservation of tenders to vulnerable groups in society such as People Living with Disabilities (PWDs).

He stated that the Revised National Youth Policy of 2010 recognised that young people living with disabilities have special needs, challenges and interests that require unique interventions.

As a result, he said as part of the implementation of Youth Enrichment Scheme (YES) his ministry had arranged a series of Disability Mini Camps targeting young people living with disabilities at Mahalapye, Lobatse, Bobonong, Tsamaya and Molepolole during the 2013/14 financial year.

A total 450 young people living with disabilities, he said attended the camps where they were taught health and wellness through drama, theatre, emotional intelligence, art and talent, identification as well as exposure to educational and economic opportunities available for youth in the country.

He said the Mini Camps acted as platforms for social and integration into the economic mainstream, thereafter they were attached to various organisations and were paid allowance of P500 per month.

Minister Seretse said 310 of the youth living with disabilities who were attached to various organisations have been transferred to the Botswana National Service Programme.

Meanwhile, he said six more Camps were planned for the year 2014/2015 financial year.

Mr Makgalemele had asked the minister to state if he had any affirmative strategy to ensure that young People living with Disabilities benefited from the Youth Development Fund and other Youth Empowerment Programmes in his ministry.

He also wanted the minister to provide as an annexure, evidence of his delivery on the matter; of which Mr Seretse did. Ends