23 Mar 2015

Employers have been urged to hire people living with disabilities because they have skills and competencies to undertake their duties well.

Speaking during the second graduation ceremony at Motswedi Rehabilitation Centre in Mochudi on March 20, the Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Unity Dow said the 55 graduates had reached a milestone in uplifting their lives.

She said education played a pivotal role in one’s life hence the need for them to continue using their talents and gifts given by God to change their lives.

She further said the theme for the graduation ceremony, Enhancing Sustainable Development for Youth with Disabilities: My Role Your Role, called on all to play their role in making sure people living with disabilities were equipped with skills to start their own projects that would earn them a sustainable living. 

Minister Dow commended Motswedi rehabilitation staff and board “for a sterling job” they have done in educating the students to achieve their goal. Dr Dow implored them to use the skills they have acquired at Motswedi to enhance their lives and start their own businesses more so that finding employment nowadays is difficult.

Dr Dow advised the graduates to continue being part and parcel of the school so that they continue to learn and help educate others.

When giving a keynote address, the director of special support services Ms Bontle Molefe said the centre trains youth with intellectual disabilities in carpentry, cookery and housekeeping, dressmaking and tailoring and horticulture at foundational level. 

“The programmes are meant to provide learners with life skills relevant to the job market as well as self-employment and enable them to fully participate and contribute to the economy of the country,” said Ms Molefe.

She added that apart from vocational skills, graduates are also taught skills that include building their confidence, providing resources, giving them opportunities to earn a living to sustain themselves thus increasing their capacity.

Ms Molefe said the effects of poverty are enormous on people with disabilities and this deprives them of the basic needs of life such as food, clothing and shelter.  The coordinator of Motswedi Rehabilitation Centre Ms Salang Rapoo said they are delighted to be producing graduates who will begin their new lives in different areas of life. 

She  said they are thankful for the funding by government which helps them run the centre adding that they are also indebted to other stakeholders who always come on board to help them. She said they also provide therapy to people with physical disabilities of the graduates.

A representative of the graduates,  Ms Mmabontle Lesang said they are “grateful and honoured to have been given an opportunity to acquire these life skills.” ENDS