Gwanda NGO closing disability knowledge deficit in communities
June 7, 2022
Reboni Noko
Choice News Africa
Matabeleland South – Gwanda based Nkomwa Foundation Trust, recently conducted disability sensitization workshops at Tshongwe, Garanyemba and Datata Ward Centres in a bid to inform the communities through capacitating them on disability awareness.
The local leadership and community positively reacted by fully attending the meetings, much to their benefit.
The organisation has taken it up on their shoulders to capacitate Gwanda communities on disability awareness as evidenced by comments and reactions from the community leaders, like Councillor Coster Ndlovu, who was pleased to express that they appreciate the lessons they learnt which improved their thinking.
“This workshop was an eye-opener since it taught us of disability rights, which we have been ignoring all along,” said Cllr Ndlovu.
Persons with disabilities which comprise 15% of the world’s population are more likely to be poor, as they face catastrophic health expenditures and have lower levels of education that can allow them access to economic participation.
This notion was also seconded by Cllr Ndlovu who went on to clarify that prior to the sensitization, they used to leave the children with disabilities at home, now NFT has made them realize their mistakes of excluding people with disability in all spheres of life.
“These people need to be treated as human beings too, they should receive equal rights just like any other child. It is our responsibility to make sure that they go to school and ensure they get their independence by all means through skills program,” Cllr Ndlovu added.
NFT Community disability Facilitator, Nolwazi Bhebhe expressed her gratitude for the organization, on presenting disability rights to their community and that the leaders were present to learn that persons with disabilities (PWDs) deserve equal rights and equal opportunities, not to be looked down upon.
“We believe from now onwards that leaders will listen to us and help us where possible since the kids now know their rights meaning to say we will be assisting each other, so that they will be reminding us,” said Bhebhe.
The Ward 13 Councillor Miclas Ndlovu also expressed his gratitude to the training workshops carried by NFT.
“We had a meeting with people from Nkomwa Foundation Trust and they were teaching us on how to take care of PWDs. If we are taking a close look on what has been taking place, we realized that we have been abusing PWDs mistakenly. We have a lot of PWDs in our community and we have been conducting meetings in their absence which shows that we were not considering them as human beings. We thought that PWDs are only abused when they are beaten or raped but after the NFT awareness session, we realized that we have been abusing their rights. Therefore it is our wish that people from NFT will continue to come and always be welcome to educate us a lot of things, realizing that it will be of advantage to the new generation to have knowledge on caring of PWDs . Thank you, Nkomwa Foundation Trust.” He added.
Another participant from ward 13 Mdominic Sithole said, “I am so excited about what you are doing here and very much grateful for people like you here, that you uplift the vulnerable children who have been locked indoors because of their disability.
We were in the dark on which step to take so that we can help them. It is my wish that the almighty will bless you so much NFT, for the good works that you doing.
We also cannot forget our local leadership for bringing you here may the Almighty bless them. We have been lacking knowledge on how to treat the PWDs and today we are very much happy for meeting you Mr Nkomwa.
It is also my wish that God will continue to bless you as you continue your good works. We are grateful and all thanks to our local leaders.”
A Caregiver from ward 2, Evert Ndlovu expressed her pleasure to have the privilege of engaging NFT which she said brought a second chance into their doorstep and now is hoping that even if they leave this earth, their children would manage to live on their own.
Cllr Zwelibanzi Mpofu of ward 2, informed NFT that she realized that there was no inclusivity in all spheres of life, all along but now she realized, that she must accept her previous ignorance.
Siphilisiwe Moyo, a village health worker applauded NFT efforts on educating the communities and promised to impart knowledge of inclusivity to the community members, who were absent at the meeting. She summed up by encouraging everyone with a child living with disability to work hand in glove with NFT for his or her benefit.
