By Tione Andsen, MANA
World Vision Malawi (WVM) has committed over US$ 30,000 for scaling up eight projects on disability to support better implementation and provision of Wheelchairs in 15 of our impact areas across the country.
Acting national Director for World Vision Malawi (WVM), Charles Chimombo disclosed this Wednesday in Lilongwe during the wheelchair distribution promising practice learning event at Sunbird Lilongwe Hotel. He said this special project would run for six months within this year, 2019.
“As WVM, we are already doing our part in ensuring inclusion of children and people living with disabilities. Since 2015, we have supported 1, 339 children with wheelchairs for kids across the country in conjunction with Motivation Africa and Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP). We have supported 250 plus children with hearing aids,” he said.
Chimombo explained that disability inclusion is important to WVM because we are called to serve those who are living in poverty, are oppressed and made especially vulnerable, such as people with disabilities.
The Acting Director pointed out that our ministry goal seek to sustain well-being of children within their families and communities, especially the most vulnerable.
“Some children with disabilities in the country are amongst the most vulnerable people in the communities that our organization works in. They may become vulnerable because of poverty, lack of opportunities, deprivation of rights, serious stigma and discrimination, inaccessibility to facilities and services, lack of self-confidence and more,” he said.
Chimombo pointed out that our disability inclusion programmes addresses issues of dignity, human rights, poverty and vulnerability and help people with disabilities have the right to fully, equally and meaningfully participate in and benefit from humanitarian assistance and development processes in their communities.
“This learning event is an example of World Vision’s commitment to improving its programming practices, as well as focus in all strategies and initiatives, to intentionally include and achieve full, equal and meaningful participation of children and adults with disabilities in our work,” he added.
Minister of Children, Disability and social welfare, Cecilia Chazama said persons with disabilities go through sorts of discrimination and face all kinds of barriers that prevent them from enjoying their fundamental rights including education, employment, access to justice, participation in elections and property rights.
She said persons with disabilities belong to the poorest of the poor and more likely to be excluded main stream society, power, decision making and access to resources than any other grouping.
Chazama pointed out that discrimination of any form is prohibited and all personsare guaranteed equaland effectiveprotection on grounds of race, colour, political, sex, language and other option.
The Minister added that they are grateful to partners like WVM for their support in assisting person with disabilities in the country by providing material and financial support in implementing their various programmes.
The wheelchair distribution promising practice learning event was officially opened by the First Lady Madam Prof. Gertrude Mutharika.