22 Dec 2016

Support from civic organisations and private sector will go a long way in addressing challenges access to education, employment and financial independence faced by disabled persons in Botswana, coordinator   for people with disabilities  in the Office of the president, Mr Thomas Motingwa has said.

Speaking at a Christmas party organised by Bagogi Support Group for orphans, children living-with-disabilities and needy kids in Gakuto recently, he said government alone could not manage to provide adequately to the disabled and as such private sector and individuals should do more to create opportunities for employment for disabled persons.

He said government encourages communities to put up centres for caring for the disabled and augment where government lacks such as in addressing conditions such as autism, cerebral conditions, and provide opportunities which can make disabled economically independent.

He said such centres will help to identify needy disabled persons, provide proper adequate services such as counseling, psychotherapy which has been lacking, but was quick to point out that the country has done well in assisting the visually and hearing paired with centres established to address such ailments.

Mr Motingwa said government on the other hand is doing a lot to assist disabled, orphaned persons and the needy by implementing affirmative action policies and continually review government policies to cater and accommodate disabled people interests.

He commended Bagogi Support Group  for volunteering their time and resources to run the centre and this has invigorated interests from individuals and companies to assist the centre in caring for the vulnerable and disabled children from around Gakutlo area.

He encouraged the audience to also emulate what the support group was doing and parting in community care projects and said people don’t donate because they got plenty, but because they have love and care for fellow citizenry.  

During the event companies such as Tlou drilling, Business Point, Industrial Management and Accounting Services, PMH chemicals, Carapparel Botswana presented food hampers, toiletry and clothing for the centre to give to its 150 disabled persons, 100 orphans and 65 needy kids.

Area cllr Mr Mathata Selaledi commended all the donors for their generosity which he said will assist the parents of the disabled to care for children. He said it was commendable that the private sector was committed to partnering with government in caring for the less fortunate members of the society. ENDS