21 Dec 2016

World Cuisine Skills Centre that aims to empower people with disabilities, women and the youth has been launched at Bokaa village.

Officially launching the centre in Bokaa on Monday (December 19), the Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe applauded the directors of the centre for coming up with an initiative that would bolster the lives of people living with disabilities.

He said the centre would place more emphasis on confidence building and skills impartation which would be achieved through education.

Mr Kwerepe further said, “World Cuisine Skills Centre recognises the challenges faced by this target group which amongst others include societal prejudice, discrimination and low self-esteem.”

The assistant minister said these challenges turned to lead to low opportunities for mainstreaming into development agenda access to education and work opportunities.

He said the centre provided training programmes such as bespoke cookery, business entrepreneurship and management, refresher training and development, event management and flower arrangement which runs from a week to six months.

Mr Kwerepe said, “These programmes are in line with government’s objectives of empowering Batswana and delivering them from poverty trap”.

He applauded the Centre for pledging to train 10 PLWD’s as part of their social responsibility which would go a long way in equipping them with relevant skills that would improve their chances for equal opportunities and engagement in economic empowerment schemes.

The centre’s director, Ms Charity Hiscox, said they started the project last year and by February they began programme accreditation with Botswana Qualification Authority.

She said it was not an easy road but because she had a dream and God was helping her, she kept on working hard until she saw light at the end of the tunnel.

Ms Hiscox said the project was initiated to become a voice for the voiceless and impart skills training to help the disabled people.

She added that the ‘centre aims to change the mind-set of people so that they understand and appreciate that the disabled people are able and can do great things.’

“People have to understand that disability is not inability, so the Centre will surely be of a great help to them,” she said.

She said she has worked with Young Epilepsy Botswana Association which is run by young and talented youth who have inspired her and given her courage.

Ms Hiscox thanked his husband for the support and encouragement during the establishment of the project adding that they intend to replicate the project across the country, adding that they have already started the same project in Francistown.

Kgosi Sue Mosinyi of Bokaa said he was happy that Ms Hiscox had chosen his village to set up such a centre since it would help change the lives of people with disabilities.

He said he had often prayed for the project that it get completed because it would positively impact on the lives of many people.

Nevertheless, Kgosi Mosinyi said he was worried over the issue of special dispensation as some officers dragged their feet to help a disabled person who needs help as soon as possible. ENDS