Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho National Insurance Group (LNIG) donated 35 wheelchairs worth M300 000 to Ministry of Social Development which will be distributed to people living with
disabilities across the country. The Ministry of Social Development Principal Secretary (PS) ‘Mantsenki Mphalane said it is the ministry’s mandate to take care of vulnerable people and it is
through organizations like LNIG that they are able to fulfil this mandate. She said the Ministry has collected information concerning families living in
Lesotho and the aim of that information gathered is to assess the situation they live under. She said they have learnt that people living with disabilities
have more needs. “Their worst challenge is that their parents hide them in fear of what people will say,” she said. She added that such a child is even delayed to start school and some end up
uneducated owing to the worry that other children will laugh at them. Mphalane further said LNIG made a great contribution as these wheelchairs are going to
help those children hidden behind closed doors and enable them to do various activities. LNIG Managing Director (MD) Ralitapole Letsoela said every time he sees the Minister
of Social Development Hon. ‘Matebatso Doti, he sees someone who is always on duty of helping vulnerable people. “Every time she speaks, she is speaking of
people who have special needs and she is very determined in helping them,” he said. Letsoela further said the Ministry should continue taking care of vulnerable people even though they might be facing financial challenges, he
advised that they should always refer to private sectors such as LNIG for help. He said every person should consider those people who are living with disability.
Letsoela emphasized that there are 30 adult wheelchairs and 5 for children and 10 more which have been ordered for children. Doti said they wrote a letter requesting for
help from LNIG, adding that the list they have for people who are in need of wheelchairs is very long and those wheelchairs are going to make a huge difference.
She noted that two weeks ago, they passed a law for persons living with disabilities. “We have made a vow that there will never be a Mosotho living with disability seen carried around with a wheelbarrow,” she said.
The Minister said she decided to partner with LNIG in order to ensure that people living with disabilities get necessary equipment. Doti pleaded with LNIG Managing Director that in their annual budget, they should allocate at least 2% for social protection which will cater for disabled persons.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
