April 22, 2023

 By Choice Magazine

Nontobeko Sibanda

Choice News Africa

Gwanda –Matabeleland South based non-governmental organization, Nkomwa Foundation Trust (NFT) recently conducted a successful disability sensitisation workshop for Gobatema community in Gwanda’s Ward 11.

NFT founder addressing participants. Choice News Africa

The organisation is leaving no one and no place behind in spreading the gospel of inclusivity in all communities. Scores of villagers, persons with disabilities, caregivers, parents, community leaders and government officials operating in the community attended the meeting.

Ward 11 Councilor, Coster Ndlovu appreciated the efforts and strides by Nkomwa foundation trust in the ward.

“I am out of words with how this organisation operate and impact lives in my constituency. I never thought they will reach this areas extensively, like how they have done to our area to sensitize this community. I am very grateful to this organisation” said Cllr Ndlovu

Several participants got the opportunity to encounter the reality of life as they met as NFT officers were taking turns to capacitate them with disability information.

 Villagers were empowered on disability, disability mainstreaming, disability rights and disability terminology as well as disability parenting. Other topics shared included Sexual Gender Based Violence, drug and substance abuse among Persons with Disabilities.

Persons with disabilities in particular children, continue to suffer in silence, as a result of discrimination and stigmatization. Cultural beliefs pertaining to disability is still high in marginalised and hard to reach areas.

Resultantly persons with disabilities’ rights are still infringed. Moreover sexual and gender based violence among women and girls with disabilities is still evident and high in farming communities.

The ignorance and information deficit on disability rights among the general populace is also the reason for these sensitisation forums by Nkomwa Foundation Trust.

The interactive engagement was fruitful as villagers opened up to reveal that they have children with disabilities.

NFT conducted sessions with support from other partners like, Ministry of Primary and secondary Education-School Psychological Service and Zimbabwe Open university- Department of disability affairs.

Education is key to persons with disabilities. It was also discussed at lengthy on the importance of taking children with disabilities to school.

Senior village head, Lovemore Sibanda express gratitude to NFT team for the outreach workshops.

“Mina njengo senior village head, ngilokubonga khakhulu ngomusebenzi omukhulu onzwe phakathi kwesigaba sethu.

Ngifunde kakhulu ngamalungelo abantu abakhubazekileyo. You have indeed changed our mindsets, ngiyabonga,” said Sibanda

NFT Director, Pick Nkomwa weighed in by thanking the community leaders and villagers for coming in numbers for the sensitisation meeting.

“I am so humbled to have all village heads, meeting persons with disabilities in this community. Our goal is to change the narrative of PWDs lives in this community. Concluded  Nkomwa.