09 Nov 2015

Kanye Administrative Authority (KAA) rehabilitation officer, Mr Leronamang Garenamotse says they have approved 62 people living with disability to benefit from the newly introduced disability allowance in his area.

Speaking in an interview recently, Mr Garenamotse said the initial target was 142 beneficiaries but only 62 have been approved while assessments continued.

He said the 62 beneficiaries have started receiving their allowances in August, adding that the payments were backdated to April. He said selected beneficiaries would be paid a monthly allowance of P300.

Mr Garenamotse said the initiative catered for people with severe disabilities who could not perform day to day activities such as bathing. He added that even those with severe mental problems would qualify to be assisted.

 However, he clarified that not everyone living with a disability would qualify for the initiative.

He also stressed that even those who were already enjoying other social development initiatives like social baskets and old age pension, among others, were entitled to take the allowance based on the severity of their disability. He said the allowance was an additional income.

Mr Garenamotse further noted that it did not matter how many there could be in one family, adding they could all qualify. 

He said the aim of the initiative was to offset the socio-economic status of the disabled people and to enhance their dignity.

Mr Garenamotse furthermore explained that care givers would receive the allowance on behalf of beneficiaries.

He revealed that most people have embraced the initiative during consultative meetings around the sub district, adding that it could not have come at a better time. He said they believe it would alleviate poverty among people living with disabilities. Ends