15 Apr 2014

The Americans have provided over US$700 million to Botswana for the HIV/AIDS fight over the past 10 years through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Chargé d Affairs Michael Murphy at the US Embassy said this at the recent handing over ceremony of the poultry expansion project at Thuso Rehabilitation Centre donated by the United States Embassy’s small grants programme where he further stated that the disabled were no exception to the scourge that had taken a heavy toll on all communities in Botswana.

He said the United States was a strong advocate for the disabled and they were proud to have provided the P100 000 in funding to purchase machinery, chickens and feed for the vocational school’s chicken production unit.

He said the project greatly increases the centre’s capacity to provide rehabilitation, vocational training and education, as well as HIV/AIDS prevention programs for the disabled.

“The project is already a success, previously all butchering was done by hand, a lengthy two to three week process with almost all staff and students assisting, now the same number of chickens can be readied for sale in two or three days with less assistance as most work is done electronically”, he said.

He commended Thuso Rehabilitation Centre for improving the livelihood and health of people living with disabilities in providing them with an opportunity to support themselves, more so that this empowerment has a direct impact in decreasing the students’ vulnerability to HIV.

Mr Murphy said 23 years ago the US became the first country to adopt national civil rights legislation banning discrimination against disabled people, further indicating their belief in discrimination against people with disabilities to hinder economic development and limits positive health outcomes.

Despite advocating for disabled rights, the US is a strong supporter of Botswana’s efforts to achieve “zero new HIV Infections” by 2016.

“We recognise that to meet our development goals, whether it is preventing the spread of HIV or improving the livelihood of people with disabilities, we also need to address poverty eradication and rural development”, he said.

He was proud to indicate some of the programs that continue to benefit Batswana, such as supporting community-based natural resource management through their Southern Africa Regional Environmental program (SAREP), Tsela Kgopo orphans and vulnerable children and gender program to name but a few.

He further emphasised the importance of Peace Corps, adding that there are over 130 Peace Corps volunteers in Botswana, many of them becoming integral members of rural communities as they work with District AIDS Coordination offices, clinics, non-profit organisations, or implement life skills curriculum in schools.

Deputy Executive Director of Thuso Rehabilitation Centre, Mr Dickinson Samaemo expressed his gratitude for the continued support and partnership with the US which has been ongoing for many years, since the center’s inception.

He further commended the Peace Corp Volunteers who have been working with them over the years to better serve Thuso Rehabilitation and the community.

Not forgetting government for the efforts, she has done in assisting people living with disabilities like the establishment of the district disability committee which is run by District Commissioners in all the districts in the country.
Mr Samaemo further said focal persons have been identified in various ministries to cater to the needs of the disabled.

He said the center has been able to reach 7000 people all over the country and with the growing numbers they submitted a proposal to the US Embassy to assist in their need to expand the infrastructure, to which Mr Murphy affirmed to follow up on the proposal. ENDS