11 Sep 2016

Selebi Phikwe Rotary club donated 14 wheelchairs to Central Association of the Blind and Disabled (CABD) in Mahalapye on Saturday (September 10).
Speaking during the handing over  ceremony in Mahalapye, MP for Mahalapye West Mr Joseph Molefhe applauded the Rotary Club for this positive gesture of giving back to the community.
Mr Molefhe said this was in line with the national vision of a compassionate and caring nation.
He said the government supports non-government organisations but it was overwhelmed, therefore, challenged other business enterprises to emulate the spirit of Botho that was deep rooted in the society.
He said  this gesture was the birth of unending relationship between the Rotary Club and CABD.
Mr Molefhe said CABD saw it fit to source wheelchairs in order to assist their needy clients on the list of wheelchairs, adding that the donation came at an opportune time whereby there is a long list of people with disability who are in need of wheelchairs.
He said Botswana does not have a factory to make wheelchairs so they buy them from outside and they were expensive that is why the country cannot meet the demand.
He asked parents and caregivers of the recipients to take good care of these wheelchairs as this was a blessing to them, and they would make their lives easier.
The chairperson of CABD Mr Mothusi Mosiakgabo said the association was registered in 1981 with its two main branches in Mahalapye and Serowe. He said it was formed by the late Mr Tlhabologo Monageng who was living with disability.
Mr Mosiakgabo said the organisation is for people with visual impairment and those  living with disability , promotes their empowerment through employment creation, advocacy, rehabilitation services, life training skills and stimulation.
He said they offer rehabilitation services to the disabled community which includes offering physical therapy, stimulation and community based rehabilitation, adding that they also have a gym facility which is offered free of charge to people with disability.
However, Mr Mosiakgabo said they have some challenges which includes amongst others shortage of staff, transport, water for gardening projects and shortage of resources like crutches, wheelchairs, braille for the blind and cane sticks.
He said they depend mostly on donors, and applauded the Rotary Club for this good gesture.
For his part, Rotary Club representative Mr Nigel Bellamy said as a club they strive to make the lives of people easy, curb conflict and bring peace and always put the interest of people first.
Mr Bellamy said they also educates, plant trees, feed people regardless of their skin colour and brings happiness to people and that is why they found it fit to give to CABD.
He said as a club they have families around the world, and these wheelchairs where funded from the UK and made in China. ENDS