10 Aug 2026

Derived from the Hambukushu language, a rehabilitation centre dubbed Mwaatumwaya meaning Do not abandon us is slowly realising its purpose through the assistance of donors.

Founded over 12 years ago in  Etsha 6 in the Okavango District, Mwaatumwaya Rehabilitation Centre (MRC) is testament that disability is not inability. 

A non-profit making organisation for People Living with Disability (PLD), is primarily purposed to serve persons with disability of all age groups in the Okavango District.

However, the organ is not wholly reliant of philanthropic gesture from donors to serve its targeted group. 

MRC is operating a horticultural farm, as one of the projects where funding from donors was invested to generate running capital for the centre. 

The climate smart farming project was funded through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the tune of P602,360, 00.

In an interview, MRC treasure, Mr Thapelo Moitshoki said about 80 per cent of vegetables such as tomatoes, cabbage, rape and carrots were at harvesting stage.

“So far, we are supplying one supermarket, individual customers and hawkers,” he said.

Mr Moitshoki said the farming project possessed a glimmer of hope for the centre in terms of diversifying sources of income as well as instigating its endeavour to become self-reliant.

However, Mr Moitshoki said the project was not immune to challenges. He said the bumper harvest in tomatoes seem to have surpassed the market demand.

Mr Moitshoki also added that shortage of labour in harvesting was one of the prominent challenges.  

Narrating their journey in farming, MRC chairperson, Ms Malebogo Motlhabani said the centre started the project in 2019.

Initially, Ms Motlhabani said  focus was on dry farming, focusing on beans and maize production.

After experiencing low production due to weather challenges, Ms Motlhabani said the centre sought for assistance from UNDP, through which funding received was focused on developing a climate smart farming project. 

Despite experiencing challenges, Ms Motlhabani said the project was a positive investment with the potential to meet the vegetable demand of the Okavango District. ENDS