People with disabilities make a difference

People with disabilities will now be given a chance to prove that they can also work like people without disabilities at a recycling centre in New Germany.

Ella Nyandu, chairman of Uphawulethemba Crisis Care Centre which is an organisation for disabled people said that people with disabilities are now slowly being recognised and taken seriously.

“People do not understand that although we have a disability, we live a normal life just like everybody else and we can work.

“There is nothing wrong with being disabled and we can not depend on the grant money, we need to earn a living.

“This recycling project was started by the Department of Environment. They chose 18 people, four of us are disabled and others have children with disabilities.

“In March we were trained with a first aid and health and safety programme. Now there are 80 people working here.

Nyandu said they recycle tins, bottles, paper, plastic and cardboard.

“This recycling centre benefits every member of the community as everyone can bring in recyclable waste and earn some cash.

“This project will alleviate poverty, keep the place clean and teach people about the importance of recycling.

Nyandu added that they are very grateful to the Ward 21 councillor, Bongani Gumede who included them in this project.

Gumede said the project is basically an initiative by the municipality to encourage people to recycle their waste material especially paper, cardboard, plastic and scrap metal.

“It will also help the unemployed to earn an income because the municipality will pay them for the material they bring in.

“As much as we are trying to help people to earn an income, we need more people to assist us to offer opportunities to disabled people,” said Gumede.