17 May 2021

Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) in Chobe has donated a wheelchair, groceries, clothes and blankets to a 13-year-old Kazungula resident.

Speaking during a donation ceremony on Friday, Chobe sub-chapter chairperson, Pastor Obadiah Tshupo, said the role of the church should not only be to pray for the nation, but to also take care of the people’s psycho-social needs.

Pastor Tshupo said OAIC encouraged members to play a role in caring for the needy and in nation building regardless of their different denominations.

Chobe District commissioner, Ms Sekgabo Makgosa, appreciated OAIC for the generous gesture and stated that People Living with Disability (PLWD) should not be defined by their physical appearance, but their sound soul and mind since when God created them, there was a purpose that he wanted them to serve.

She encouraged PLWDs to have the confidence to see themselves as whole and serve their purpose.

She quoted an Australian motivational speaker, Mr Nick Vujicic, born without arms and legs who said, ‘fear is the biggest disability of all. It will paralyse you more than being in a wheelchair.”

Ms Makgosa said in Chobe, issues affecting PLWDs had been lagging behind noting that most of the facilities were still not accessible through wheelchairs. 

She said her office was working on reviving the PLWD committee to solve some of the challenges that PLWDs encountered on daily basis.

Kgosi Makhanga of Kazungula said blessed were the hands that donated and God would cater for the needs of those who contributed.

He said the donation was indeed an indication of true love especially that it was done during a difficult time when COVID-19 had impacted negatively on the wealth of individuals.

OAIC public relations officer, Ms Baeti Sibanda explained that OAIC sourced the new wheelchair from Ms Letlhogonolo Moalosi of Serowe and churches in Chobe donated P2 000 towards grocery and toiletry while OAIC women bought clothes as individuals.

A representative of the family, Mr George Lopale thanked the churches for the donation and urged them to continue blessing others. BOPA