University students care for disabled

Correspondent | Tuesday December 8, 2015 16:14

On Wednesday November 18, five modified desks for learners in wheel-chairs were donated to Bonewamang Primary. The desks were presented to the school by Lesego Otukile and Vivian Motsatsi who are special education students at the University of Botswana (UB).

Contributions for the donation came from Noble Supplies who sold the desks at cost of materials and went on to give one for free, the funds came from the ‘tlhomoga pelo’ brand which donates a portion of its profits to help the disabled in Botswana. Otukile, acting under the direction of the UB brought all the parties together as part of the ‘adopt a school’ initiative which began in 2012 with the intention of encouraging members of the community to help in the education of children in Botswana. The ‘adopt a school’ initiative has been taken to heart by the the economy in UB’s special education department, and through its students has had extensive impact. Otukile who’s interest in students with disabilities goes beyond academics identified that the main challenge for these young learners is poverty.

The reality facing most disabled children is that they do not have the basic necessities, modified desks are only the beginning. As part of an effort to continuously meet the needs of students with special needs Otukile is working with ‘tlhomoga pelo’. He has been active on their Facebook page, promoting the sale of ‘tlhomoga pelo’ T-shirts with the hope that enough funds may be raised to purchase a smart board for learners with mental disabilities at Bonewamang Primary School.

 

Michael Mugadza