DTCB pledges to Resource Centre for visually challenged
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Wednesday October 15, 2014 16:32
MRCB is the institution that produced musical greats such as the late Donald “Don B” Botshelo and Zacharia “Sespo” Piet among others. DTCB’s kind gesture was in response to MRCB’s cry for assistance from the business community and civil society to help them build a fully-fledged resource centre.
During the handover ceremony, Attorney General Athaliah Molokomme, who is also a MRCB board member, said the event marked DTC Botswana’s milestone in its quest to support under privileged community members.
“This support is in line with one of the five values that DTC Botswana has embraced, namely, ‘show we care’ and indeed we do care. In two years Botswana would realised its long-term vision 2016 which stipulates that Batswana should have access to quality health facilities located within a reasonable distance,” she said.
Molokomme said people with physical challenges need extensive attention because their conditions often interfere with many aspects of their lives, adding that some are unable to attend school, get jobs or participate in social and economic activities.
She further said more than 60 percent of children with visual challenges in various parts of the country stay home because their local schools did not have the appropriate facilities that could make their educational process easier. She said those children had waited desperately for the establishment of a fully-fledged resource centre, which would enable them to access appropriate facilities to meet their specific learning needs.
“I have however been informed that MRCB is faced with the challenge of raising more than P11 million which would go towards an enhanced resource centre for children with visual challenges who come from different parts of our country,” she said.
Molokomme noted that the establishment of a well-developed and self-sustaining rehabilitation centre for children with visual challenges was very critical to provide for comprehensive support towards the learning of children and security of their future.
MRCB Director, Sophie Moalosi, revealed that they had enrolled 74 children with visual challenges from different parts of the country.
“Sixty one of these children are primary school learners. After school they are offered services such as therapy, rehabilitation and resettlement programmes. Thirteen children are under six years of age. They are rehabilitated under the early stimulation programme where they receive mobility and orientation therapy,” she said.
Moalosi added that the institution promoted education for visually challenged children and was committed to being an excellent rehabilitation centre. “I urge the public and other companies to pledge towards build the remaining five blocks. DTC Botswana has already paved a way for them,” she said.