The indescribable suffering of rural people with disabilities

June 9, 2022

 By Choice Magazine

Nomathemba Mathe

Choice News Africa

Gwanda – While disability is a condition that is involuntary, many people with disabilities are either neglected or left to stay indoors, as many families have always been shunning their disabled children, going to the level of keeping them in the house, far from the mainstream exposures.

Those kept indoors, would be completely out of touch, with the world and would sometimes be forced to die in silence, especially people with albinism. Hundreds of thousands are not documented, while the fortunate have now been rescued by Nkomwa Foundation Trust awareness campaigns.

As witnessed by the number of sensitization workshops, on disability awareness training workshops, several people including village heads and community leaders, have applauded the Gwanda based NGO, NFT for empowering them with knowledge, on disability issues.

Disability comes in different forms and at different times. Having a disability is neither an easy condition in life. No one cannot understand the calamities rural PWDs encounter till one meet the person.

It was just after the Nkomwa Foundation Trust visited ward 13 for community leadership disability sensitisation meeting, as per practice of the organisation after every community meeting, the team visits one or two project participants.

 The team visited Garanyemba business Centre, Ntepe business Centre and Just after 8 kilometers, NFT in the company of Councillor Miclas Ndlovu, met Samkeliso, of Garanyemba, whose story forced everyone to shed tears.

 Her story is a solid rock to crack as it is very painful and she has been undergoing tough times with her care giver. She is physically challenged and can’t do anything on her own, without assistance.

She depends on her grandmother Elizabeth Ndlovu, for her daily living and upkeep. She lost her mother 15 years ago and she never enjoyed the fatherly love since the father abandoned her, leaving the young Samkeliso in the hands of an equally struggling grandmother.

The grandmother Mandlovu, is now at an advanced old age and she is also failing to do other duties due to elderly stage. Despite her aging she has a great responsibility to ensure her granddaughter is well taken care of.

The granny told Choice News Africa that, during her permitting age, she was surviving by moulding bricks and selling for a living which she cannot do now thereby compromising their normal living.

She said she hardly get food on the table for her and Samkeliso, as nothing comes without sweating in Zimbabwe. Social Welfare Ministry, is overwhelmed and is failing to cope with several vulnerable, as witnessed by many deaths, in rural areas as a result of starvation.

 “I am deeply worried and troubled about the situation of my granddaughter Samkeliso, if I die now, because no one will look after her. It is very difficult for me to stay in peace, as I look at her every day of my life.

I am praying everyday to the Almighty to help my Samkeliso to get someone who will look after her, after my death as she can’t fend for herself basically,” said Ndlovu in tears.

Mandlovu with a smile of relief, as she looked at NFT staffers, she said she was happy to see the team and the opportunity to pour her challenges to the organization led by a man with a heart of the Lord Pick Nkomwa

“Your friend need food, sanitary pads and a wheelchair. The current wheelchair is broken and I struggle to push her. I cannot attend any community meeting anymore. I would also love fellow community members to help with firewood and fetching water for me as we are currently using the water we collected after the recent rains,” Said Gogo MaNdlovu.

Councillor Miclas Ndlovu of Ward 13 Gwanda, applauded NFT, for their efforts in improving the lives of vulnerable communities, especially those with disabilities.

 “I am so humbled by your programmes Nkomwa Foundation team. Your visit to my ward and this homestead means a lot. You have educated us and as a community we will try our level best to give a helping hand to this family. Whatever the granny explained is true and touching to us as a whole.

I will continue advocating for the embracing of diversity in our communities. Once again thank you team and continue assisting lives in our communities,” added Councillor Miclas Ndlovu.