05 Dec 2016

Mochudi Resource Centre for the Blind on Friday (December 2) held a fundraising dinner for the construction of a fully-fledged resource centre.

To help in the success of the project which requires concerted effort from all the stakeholders was the Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi who observed the centre’s commitment in raising the quality of life for children and to assist those with disability to achieve their full potential through active participation in their education.
“The fund raising dinner is one of the many activities that will be held to raise part of the P18 million needed to construct a new facility on a flat piece of land next to Matsieng Primary School measuring 1.9 hectares and large enough to accommodate 400 children,”he said.

He said the establishment of NGO’s, community based and faith based organisations continued to complement government’s efforts in providing services to Batswana.

Mr Masisi added that Mochudi resource centre for the past 47 years has been an initiative of the Dutch reformed Church in Botswana and the school has 71 primary school age children in total and 14 under pre-school program who come from different parts of the country.

Pupils attend their primary at Matsieng School whilst receiving rehabilitation, resettlement and residential services at the centre.

“Government’s commitment to supporting the efforts of stakeholders such as yours is revealed in the financial year 2015/16, as the Ministry of Basic Education assisted Mochudi Resource Centre with an amount of P2.1 million,” he said.

In addition, he said the Coordinating Office of People with Disabilities at the Office of the President has been set up to address any constraints faced in the discharge of their duties.

“Government has also taken a decision to introduce a P300 Disability Allowance and Food Basket for people with severe and profound disabilities. This allowance is meant to cushion some of the challenges faced by people with disabilities,” the Vice President said.

The director of Mochudi Resource Centre for the Blind Ms Sophie Moalosi said they wish to raise funds to enable them to provide services to children with visual impairment.

She said so far many stakeholders and individuals have come on board to assist and she could not hide her joy in the great achievements accomplished in their journey to construct suitable facilities for the children.

She said the journey was started by the Patron Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse together with Kgosi Kgafela II back in 2010 and today they are talking of a different story because construction have begun. She said DTC Botswana has donated funds towards the construction of the music block and other phases will be constructed with time.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Segale Linchwe commended the Dutch Reformed Church for the continued work in caring for the visually impaired. ENDS