Vhamusanda Vho Ratshilumela Edwin Ramalivhana has urged residents of Makwarani not to hide disabled children at home but to expose them to available facilities. Ramalivhana made this call during the official handover of a site to the newly formed Muphirimia Foundation, founded by popular Phalaphala FM presenter Humbulani Nengovhela to care for the disabled. The handover took place on Thursday, 16 May, at the site of the Philamisevhe Disabled Centre.
"Gone are the days when disabled children were seen as a curse and punishment to parents. Disabled children are just like all other people. They should not be discriminated against. They can do whatever others can do and sometimes they can even be better than the 'normal' ones. They can make a meaningful contribution to the development of our area if they go to school and are trained in different skills," Ramalivhana said.
He mentioned that he and his senior traditional leaders had immediately supported Nengovhela's request for a site to start the centre. "We are a developing village, and we will do whatever we can to see that there is development in this area. Nengovhela has a big dream for this community and the disabled, and we are giving this land as support. We hope others will sponsor the project and that a proper centre will be built," he added.
Mr Humbulani Nengovhela, founder of the centre and chairperson of the foundation, expressed his excitement about the official handover. "We are very excited that the site has been officially handed over to us. We have already started, and we will soon be in full swing, doing agriculture and other skills activities," he said. Nengovhela also thanked the local traditional leader for the land and urged parents to bring their disabled children to the school, which is already operational and catering to all disabled individuals.
During the occasion, Ms Tshimangadzo Esther Sinyegwe was elected as chairperson of the board of directors.