Story by ZBC Reporter
The Second Republic’s policy of inclusivity is paying off with Midlands Province receiving ten wheelchairs from the Office of the President and Cabinet for onward distribution to people with disabilities.
Beneficiaries could not hide their joy as the wheelchairs were handed over by the Director in the Office of Special Advisor to the President on Disability Issues, Mr Macnon Chirinzepi, who was representing Dr Joshua Malinga at a ceremony, held in Gweru this Monday.
“With this wheelchair, I can now travel as much as I want and all my gratitude goes to the government for such an initiative. I am already developing a back problem due to the continued carrying of my child on my back and I appreciate this initiative which has solved a lot of my problems, one of the beneficiaries told ZBC News.
Another added, “I have been carrying her on my back for three years because she cannot walk on her own so I have to take her to and from school but this wheelchair has come to my rescue.”
Director of Provincial Coordination in the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Kudakwashe Machako underscored the importance of taking everyone on board in the country’s development agenda.
“This is a challenge to us as the Midlands province to adequately play our role in ensuring that the disability community is not left behind in economic development,” he said.
Representing people with disabilities, Senator Anna Shiri took the opportunity to applaud the President for prioritising vulnerable groups in resource allocation.
“We are grateful to the President for empowering the disabled in different ways including the prioritisation of us in land allocation which we take pride in,” she said.
The donation comes a few days after the country joined the world in commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December.
