20 Dec 2016

Your Health Surgery recently donated 20 wheel chairs to various special education units in different schools in the south central region.

The donation valued at about P53 000 was said to be in line with the policy of inclusive education.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Mogoditshane, deputy permanent secretary-policy development in the Ministry of Basic Education, Ms Helen Chilisa said her ministry had created special education units to achieve the goal of education for all by providing for previously un-served disabled learners.

She further said the lives of people with disabilities could be difficult if enough support was not provided. She also alluded to the fact that taking care of people with disabilities was a challenge which could not be borne by government or individual parents alone.

“This responsibility must be a community affair, involving each one of us,” she emphasised.

Ms Chilisa also noted that everyone should strive to make a contribution towards the creation of an inclusive environment.

Nevertheless, Ms Chilisa has commended the clinic for their generous contribution saying through the noble gesture, they have taken a step towards building an environment that offers equal opportunities.

Furthermore, she said the wheel chairs will change the lives of children with disabilities for the better, facilitating mobility to school and health centres as well as enhancing their participation in recreational activities.

Explaining the objective of the ceremony, a representative from the donors, Ms Kgomotso Twagirayezu said her belief was that the wheelchairs will go a long way in enhancing their mobility and thus easing their learning experience.

She said the donation was also a response and contribution to the realisation of the previous vision 2016 pillar of a “compassionate and caring nation.”

She acknowledged that the aspiration was still carried on under vision 2036 which states that Botswana will be a “moral tolerant and inclusive society that provides opportunities for all.”

Ms Twagirayezu has further explained that the new vision also states that people living disabilities (PLWDs) will be empowered to have equal access to services and socio-economic opportunities enjoyed by all.

This she said, underpined their interaction with both their clients and the community they inhabit which then keeps them conscious of the needs surrounding them.

Three schools from Kweneng district has been assisted with eight wheelchairs.

Solomon Dihutso has been allocated five wheel chairs with Monare primary school getting a single wheel chair and Bonewamang National school getting three wheel chairs.

Some schools in South East and Kgatleng regions have also benefited from this noble gesture. ENDS