On Thursday, 5 May, the Rofhiwa Manwadu Foundation handed over new wheelchairs to five disabled children during a function held at Thavhani Mall.
This initiative is the brainchild of Vhembe's Special Olympic ambassador, Rofhiwa Manwadu, who is also disabled.
Two of the beneficiaries were Grade 12 learners from the area. Rilinde Ramphabana, from Niani Secondary School, was very happy about the donation. "I'm thankful for the wheelchair. It will help me a lot at school when I have to move between classes and go to the bathroom. I used to have a tattered wheelchair. My parents were unable to buy a new one for me, but this new wheelchair will make it easier for me," he said. Rilinde plans to further his studies in the hospitality industry after matric.
The Rofhiwa Manwadu Foundation was launched in November 2021, with the aim to encourage, enhance and support the development of intellectually disabled children by helping them to get quality education. "We also add our weight to the fight against bullying of disabled children in schools by making their parents and caretakers, who are responsible for looking after them on a day-to-day basis, more aware [of the problem]. We further empower environmental awareness campaigns by planting trees at schools as a sign of living hope to the children," said Manwadu.