15 Aug 2017

Realising that many people living with disability (PLWDs) are kept away from the public eye, some compassionate members of the community in the Okavango region formed an organisation that will help these people be appreciated as part of the society.

In 2012, the community of Habu to Gudigwa established Mwatumwaya Rehabilitation Centre; an organisation to lead in advocacy for PLWDs through intense community based interactive innovative activities, leading to social equity and justice.

The centre, in partnership with the Okavango sub-district council was launched last week at its headquarters in Etsha 6.

Speaking at the launch, Mwatumwaya Rehabilitation Centre chairperson, Mr Kajwa Kopiana said the centre aimed to contribute towards the sustainable development goals such as inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities and also reduction of inequality in the country by empowering and promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all.

He said as an organisation, they were concerned about the issue of PLWDs and their vulnerability to issues such as from the public eye, as unreported rape, deprivation to access formal education, and lack of health education among others.

Mr Kopiana said it was therefore for this reason that the centre connected PLWDs all throughout Okavango and offered much needed support to these special men and women, as well as their families.

The centre offers services such as literacy classes for the visually impaired, life skills training, family education and socio-economic development.

Mwatumwaya Rehabilitation Centre is determined to make these special people feel part of the society as the centre can get them together to have fun singing, playing music and socialising.

Mr Kopiana said despite being challenged with shortage of resources, including funds, the centre had its achievements as in 2015/16 they trained 105 people in braille and the number included PLWDs, their family members, and community volunteers.

He said this year they trained 55 people in sign language, including young people, adults and community volunteers.

He explained that 8 PLWDs were also trained in sophisticated tomato production through the help of LEA Horticulture Lucubrate.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Botswana recognised the difficult, hence noble work by the Mwatumwaya and helped the centre with P160 000, which was used to purchase 30 bicycles that the trained facilitators are already using to reach PLWDs in remote villages.

US Ambassador, Mr Earl Miller said the embassy selected Mwatumwaya Rehabilitation Centre because of its valiant efforts and awarded it with an Ambassadors’ Special Self Help Grant.

The US Embassy also funded the translation of 160 basic adult education books into braille for the visually impaired. ENDS