05 Aug 2014

A group of elderly people with disabilities (PWDs), caregivers and traditional leaders in Gumare have formed a community based organization called Sekgele Training Home Society (STHS). 

The group is aimed at assisting PWDs and removing barriers that they face in their day to day lives.

Speaking in an interview, the coordinator of the society, Mr Gosalamang Xaa said PWDs face challenges in education, health care, employment, political decision making and other spheres of life. 

He said the organisation wants to improve the lives of the disabled in the Okavango sub-district and spread the message all over the country. 

Mr Xaa revealed that STHS currently has 100 members comprised of 70 women and 30 men and spread out among all villages in the Okavango sub-district.

“Our members are engaged in various empowerment projects such as sewing and beading,” he said.

The organisation was funded to the tune of P100 000 by Non State Actors Capacity Building Projectors (NSA CBP), through the assistance of the European Union (EU), to conduct a research study, develop a strategic plan and train staff and board members on leadership and governance. 

The Department of Gender Affairs provided additional funding amounting to P235 000 mainly for construction of a sewing workshop. 

“We have an agreement with the Social and Community Development (S&CD) department through which we supply them with school uniforms. 

Seventy per cent of the returns from this agreement are spent on the beneficiaries while 30 per cent is reserved for the project,” said Mr Xaa.

A self-help fund of P30 000 from the United States embassy was also used for beadwork income generating projects for PWDs in Shakawe, Sepopa, Gumare and Tubu. The project, called ‘Beads for Hope’ has 10 members in each of the villages. 

Mr Xaa also revealed that they received funding of about P511 370 to build a stimulation centre in Gumare from the Ministry of Health for the year 2013/2014. The ministry further approved 12 positions in the society and provided follow up funding of P825 497 for the year 2014/2015 to establish the stimulation centre. 

Mr Xaa said the 12 positions included the coordinator, administration officer, accounts clerk, two teacher aides, two cooks, cleaner, handyman, pre-school teacher, social worker or counsellor and the medical rehabilitation technician. 

The positions are still to be filled.

“The purpose of the centre is to offer pre-academic education to the disabled and orphans aged 0-7 years to prepare them for Standard one and also to offer rehabilitation services to PWDs,” he said.

Mr Xaa said their research has established that a lot of PWDs are abandoned and sidelined by society. 

He added that it is high time for PWDs to be revealed to the wider society so that they can mingle and socialise with the able bodied.

“PWDs must be able to seek assistance from society. 

They must be able to carry out the day to day activities and perform some duties at home,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries of the STHS initiative is Ms Nametsego Mesho, a 51 year old woman. 

She said she decided to join Sekgele back in 2009 after hearing about the organisation from one of the social workers at Tsau clinic.

“After attending a few workshops and counselling sessions I started knitting jerseys for my school going children at home. 

I was later taught how to sew clothes and I gained enough confidence to be able to socialise with the able bodied members of society,” she said.

Over time, Ms Mesho managed to grow her talent and her services are now well sought after in the area. She survives by knitting winter hats and selling them to the community. 

However, she complained about lack of access to established markets where she can sell her wares. 

As a parting shot, Ms Mesho pleaded with society to accept PWDs and encourage them in their endeavours to contribute meaningfully to society. Ends