Africa-Press – Botswana. Abilities BW: a Gaborone non-profit organisation; is offering ten fully funded scholarships, to help build Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) into the mainstream socio-cultural and development processes.
In an interview, in Gaborone on Friday, the founder of Abilities BW, Mr Lesley Baleseng highlighted that the scholarships were in conjunction with Thapelong Empowerment Trust, based in Bokaa.
He said they would offer 10 PWDs an opportunity to go for two-months baking and confectionery training.
Mr Baleseng said the scholarships included free accommodation and food for the entire two months, adding ‘learners will be expected to prepare meals for themselves with supervision as a way of imparting other cooking skills as well.’
He therefore called upon PWDs individuals from across the country to apply for the programme, which starts on February 1, adding that they would be awarded certificates after completion of the course.
He said it was important to capacitate persons with disabilities, for a common good.
Mr Baleseng highlighted that the skills acquired would ensure their economic empowerment, stressing “they would be able to venture into the labour market, to increase recognition of the capabilities of PWDs and enhance their participation in the general economic life of the society”.
He said they were working on getting more sponsorships for PWDs, in an effort to empower them, saying he desire that they train different PWDs on different courses so that they would be able to get employment and consequently, “have stable incomes and not have to depend on the mercy of family members, well-wishers and charity groups for handouts to sustain their livelihoods”.
He said he desired to have short and or long term training initiatives in various empowerment programmes conducted throughout the year, to eventually change negative attitudes to be changed and the economic status of PWDs improved.
He said in its six years of existence, Abilities BW has been providing scholarships here and there and would like to provide more going forward, with the aim to build an inclusive society and help youths with disabilities fulfil their aspirations.
Abilities BW promotes, not only the rights of persons with disabilities, but also seeks to create an environment where they can have equal opportunities with their able-bodied counterparts, and fully participate in all societal.
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