singer-with-disability-appeal-for-support
Singer with disability appeal for support
October 17, 2022
Saul Utete
Choice News Africa
Bulawayo – Washington Chokumanyara 58, a Bulawayo based visually impaired musician, is appealing for assistance to shape up his life, which is now in doldrums, following the collapse of the economy, and also lack of support from the responsible Social welfare Ministry.
Also lack of moral support from the Associations of people with disabilities and society to do with persons with disabilities, in the current economic challenges has, forced Chokumanyara, to seek help in the streets, through live performances in the streets, with his primary school going age son, during weekends and holidays.
He is in dire straits to boost his music instruments that, are his only source of livelihood, as his efforts to get assistance from the government, has never been rose and fruitful.
The calamitous resources constraints have forced, the visually impaired singer, to ask for a helping hand from the corporate world and well-wishers in the country.
The sole musician who is using only one guitar to entertain shoppers, outside shops, assisted by his nine-year-old son on drums as well as a backing vocal.
The proceeds from the kind hearted is very small and limited and is channeled on food for the family.
“I was born in Mtoko, and did my primary education at Kapota in Masvingo, that is where I learnt to play a guitar some years back as a visually impaired person.
I am now resident in Bulawayo where I am earning a living through performing musical shows in the streets, with my son Kudakwashe on Saturdays and during school holidays when he is not going to school,” said Chokumanyara
“I wish to have more instruments, so that I can employ other persons with disabilities as a way of empowering each other.
Now it is impossible because I only have one guitar. Financial constraints forced me to be a sole musician and I have also failed to record my music, because of financial shortages.” He added.
He is in the hunt for for more guitars, speakers and transport so that he can stage shows in different parts of the country.
“I am appealing from the corporate world, to help me with, guitars, amplifier, transport, speakers and money, so that I can record my songs.
The instruments I am using are too old, and are giving me problems as they are my only source of living. Another problem is I use public transport that does not allow me carry my instruments.” Regretted Chokumanyara.
According to United Nations Convention on to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, General Principle (Article 3) part 5 Accessibility, states that, accessibility and equality must be a reality, dismantling the barriers that hinder the effective enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities, to live independently and to participate fully in all aspects of life.
Accessibility is important in all aspects of life, but in particular, in the physical environment such as buildings, roads, housing, transport, information and communication, as well as other facilities, services open to or provided to the public that are user friendly to all people which should be budgeted and provided for.” reads the statement.
If there could be an enabled environment, offering accessible soft loans with little or no collateral security. The move can go a long way in empowering more people with disabilities running self-help projects in the society.