Editors Note

In our November and December issues, we carried stories highlighting the plight of some people living with disability in Khudumelapye. In the November issue, the highlight was how a young woman who had just barely graduated from teenagehood, having grown up as an orphan, lifted herself up from the deep end of poverty to lead a dignified life.

The story highlighted how government through the Office for People with Disabilities can be such a life saver. Since the story appeared on our magazine, Tamasane “Wendy” Montshopitsa has had luck after luck. No matter how small some gestures were, they put a smile on Wendy’s face. Kutlwano is happy to report that Wendy is no longer that child who always wore a cloak of dispondency and helplessness, thanks to our readers who responded positively to our call to help her. Meanwhile, in our December issue, we carried yet another story about the plight of two sibblings, Abel and Marabe Metseebapile, born 10 years apart but having to suffer a strange disability that left them in confinement. Their mother pleaded for help for she was helpless since she could not go out to look for employement to put food on the table for them.

However, following publication of the story, the Office for People with Disability acted swiftly to render assistance to the family. In addition, Good Samaritans continue to donate clothes and other items to the family, thanks to Wendy again who made a plea asking for assistance for the family.

As we speak, the Office for People with Disabilities through its coordinator, Rre Thomas Motingwa, is actively involved in ensuring their upkeep is guaranteed. Need we say more that in line with the Vision 2016 pillar of a compasionate, just and caring nation, Botswana has come off age in making sure that every citizen notwithstanding their status leads a dignified and rewarding life. Through our individual efforts as demonstrated by people such as Wendy, Vision 2016 has not been in vain after all. As we celebrate 50 years of independence in September this year, Batswana can look back with pride that the path to social development, though laced with certain hardships here and there, has somewhat been a good one.