24 Jun 2021

Mmathethe/Molapowabojang MP has beseeched the Southern District Council to assist People Living With Disabilities(PLWDs) in accordance with the commitment, wishes and aspirations of government.

Dr Edwin Dikoloti was reacting to first hand experiences shared by a family struggling to take care of a disabled 10-year-old child in Lorolwane. 

His mother Ketshephaone Rampesu informed the minister, during the handing over of a wheelchair, toiletry and food hampers, that the child used to enjoy special foods, diapers from government but the assistance had since been halted. 

She also wished her child could be assisted with a specialised bed.

Dr Dikoloti also Minister of Health and Wellness committed to follow the issue up to ensure the child was assisted even in terms of schooling to ensure he lived a better life. 

He said it was imperative to ensure PLWDs were assisted in a comprehensive approach.

Dr Dikoloti pledged to donate layers to the child’s caretaker grandmother as a way of thanking her for putting the interests of her grandchild before own.

 He further encouraged the family to keep him posted on any need that may arise so he could assist the child.

Dr Dikoloti furthermore thanked Walk of Hope, a Molepolole based charitable organisation for donating a wheel chair, food and toiletry to the child.

Walk of Hope founder, Ms Theriso Motsumi-Motsemeng, for her part, encouraged capable Batswana to give. She said giving, no matter how small, nourished the souls of both the giver and the beneficiary.

Ms Motsumi-Motsemeng said the organisation, which she started in 2009 using her own funds, was now big in terms of spreading love and hope across the nation. She encouraged parents to build a better Botswana by teaching children to grow up giving to those in need.

She said she was raising 300 pairs of school shoes with her own children for Kaudwane Primary School pupils. 

She said the organisation had also adopted 15 schools where they donated photocopiers, shoes and sanitary pads among others.

Ms Motsemeng added that they were in the process of building a house for two children whose mother was killed by her partner in Molepolole. 

The good samaritan further pledged to donate a specialised bed for the child.

Kgosi Matlhoakgosi Matlho had earlier on in his welcome address said the village was hard to reach and thanked Ms Motsemeng for locating the child. Ends