LAKESIDE. – Mmatli Center for the Blind is officially affiliated with Blind SA to benefit blind people around the Vaal Triangle. This was revealed during the official launch in Lakeside last week.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Chairperson and Founder of Mmatli Center for the Blind, Mmatli Mothijoa says a lot of blind people do not have centers where they can go to gain skills and development training, adding that this is the center’s objective.
Mmatli suffers from partial blindness and is advocating for the betterment of the lives of blind people.
“Most blind people are kept indoors, away from the world. The center is for all kinds of blind people. We want to give them skills training so that they can use these skills to open up their businesses and become independent. The center will offer various training programs with the help of Blind SA,” he said.
Ellias Tlou who became blind after suffering from a brain tumour says mobility training helped him to be able to live a normal life. “We would like to urge relatives of blind people not to keep them locked up in the house. There is a centre that can assist blind people of all ages in leading a normal life. Our centre does not discriminate and offers help to people of all genders across all ages. We are here and we exist.”
Mpini Letlhage, Chairperson of Women and GBV at Blind SA says: “Our role today is to announce that the center is now officially affiliated to Blind SA, this means that the blind community serviced by the center will receive free services from Blind SA. Braille, glasses, mobility, and computer classes will be some of the things offered.”
Letlhage said the community can use the center for informational purposes. I urge community members not to keep blind children and older persons inside the house. Blind people can become independent when they are provided with the right resources. There are specialized schools that cater to blind people.”
The center has about four satellites around the Vaal Triangle, for more information call 0738177840/0765413640.
