Bringing smiles to the needy
"What we really need is awareness and education, so that people can understand disability. We need laws and policies to create an environment that is positive for persons with disabilities, and we need to respect their choices, capacity and abilities."
BARBERTON – Blessed are the hands that give – that is the motto that Ligwalagwala FM lives by.
Last Thursday the Nelspruit-based radio station accompanied by its partners, Simunye Building and Nonhlanhla Mahlalela, brought smiles to the handicapped of Ekujabuleni Disabled Centre (EDC) in Emjindini by donating wheelchairs and duvets.
Mahlalela, who is herself disabled, donated three wheelchairs, and by coincidence, it was also her birthday. “Donating to society is important. Today is my birthday and instead of going to celebrate in hotels or restaurants on my own, I decided to come here to celebrate with you.”
They sang her a birthday song while she was assisted by DJ Khaya Angel, to cut her cake.
She shared these encouraging words, “Disabled doesn’t mean unable. You may sit in that wheelchair today, but you may find that God has created you to be wiser than an able person. What we really need is awareness and education, so that people can understand disability. We need laws and policies to create an environment that is positive for persons with disabilities, and we need to respect their choices, capacity and abilities.”
The gesture to EDC came as the country was celebrating Disability Rights Awareness Month, which started on November 3 and ended yesterday.
The major focus during the month was raising awareness through practical action in order to inform citizens about norms and standards which guide the processes that aim to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities.
According to Stella Gwebu, Ligwalagwala FM events coordinator, the centre was chosen after it ran a competition requesting listeners to write in and identify an institution that was in dire need of assistance.
Busisiwe Nkosi of Simunye said they believed in the motto that God would provide for the givers.
EDC appreciated the pledges.
