Children with disabilities shot in the arm

Tom Sangala October 28, 2015

417 1 minute read

Lack of mobility is said to be the biggest challenge children with disabilities face and assisting them to move freely can, therefore, go a long way in alleviating their suffering.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Balaka District Council Disability Representative, Godfrey Chinkhota, said children with disabilities feel sidelined in almost everything if they are denied means of mobility which leads to a high school dropout rate among them.

“It is for this reason that I approached Motivation Africa through Malawi against [Physical Disabilities] to assist the disabled with wheelchairs that will ease mobility of these children when going to school,” Chinkhota said.

He said many children with disabilities drop out of school because they depend on their parents who strap them on their back, but as they grow older, the exercise becomes almost impossible.

Nkhadze Alive Youth Organisation (Nayorg) Executive Director, Charles Sinetre, said his organisation felt duty-bound to come in and assist Chinkhota with fuel to transport the wheelchairs to Phalula and Kankao for distribution to the children.

“Looking at the welfare of children with disabilities needs concerted efforts and it is a collective responsibility that is why we joined hands with other stakeholders to assist the District Disability Representative with fuel to enable him to collect the wheelchairs and reach out to those who need them in the villages,” Sinetre said.

Balaka West Member of Parliament, Shanil Dzimbiri, said children with disabilities can become anything in life if given support by the authorities and well-wishers.

“We don’t need a lot of wealth to touch the life of a child with disability and helping them with mobility would enable them continue with their education which is the gateway to success,” Dzimbiri said.

She pleaded with non-governmental organisations and other well-wishers to extend a helping hand to address challenges children with disabilities face in the communities.

Chinkhota has since distributed 25 wheelchairs he received from Motivation Africa worth over K2.5 million. Dzimbiri, Nayorg and World Vision Malawi (Balaka Office) assisted Chinkhota with other logistics to enable him make the donation.