25 Aug 2014

The Okavango sub-district does not have a programme, which caters for families living with disabled persons, the community development officer for the area, Ms Pinky Mothibedi  said during an interview.

Ms Mothibedi admitted that there were some instances whereby people with disabilities (PLWD) were tied to a tree to restrict their movements. She highlighted that sometimes families did not understand persons with special needs, which led the community around those people not to appreciate them.

“No one has the right to tie another person to a tree but we have come across situations where guardians mentioned that they were forced to resort such extreme such acts because they have to work to keep the family going,” she said.

She mentioned that the disability policy of 1996 did not stipulate any program to cater for families of disabled persons.

As the only officer for disability programs in the Okavango sub district council, she explained that she was faced with challenges when it came to community education and putting in place programs to work with the disabled.

Meanwhile, Ms Mothibedi said that even though they had one community support group called Sekgele and 22 volunteer s, disability focal persons who are community members are trained to work with the disabled.

She also added that a lot of work needed to be done to assist the disabled in the Okavango district.

On other issues, the community development officer noted that some students who are disabled ended up leaving school because the main stream education does not fully cater for them.

Unfortunately, she also mentioned that there were no special education classes in the Okavango district; as such they were often forced to take children as far as Otse.

Ms Mothibedi explained that it would be very helpful if the community could form their own parents support group to share experiences. Ends