Byo man celebrates birthday by donating wheelchairs
By Providence Moyo
There was palpable joy at the Art Gallery in Bulawayo as seven school going children living with disabilities benefited from the benevolence of a Bulawayo man who celebrated his birthday in style by bringing a smile on the recipients and their families.
Tsepang Nare (27), handed out the 7 much needed wheelchairs and mealie-meal bags amidst shouts of joy and ululations from the parents of the beneficiaries and others present. Nare revealed that the philanthropic gesture was borne out of his collaboration with a non-governmental organization, Rare Diseases and Disability Foundation (RADDA).
The youthful Nare said the motivation behind the donation of the wheelchairs was triggered by his appreciation of the challenges faced by people living with disabilities, during the lockdown.
“The lockdown was a wake up call for me as it made me realize the magnitude of challenges faced by my fellow brothers and sisters who have no means of walking. I realized that assisting devices like wheelchairs are crucial,” said Nare.
Nare said the number of 27 wheelchairs he intends to dole out is in keeping with the 27 birthdays he has had. He said the remaining 20 wheelchairs will be distributed in July. Relieved parents of the recipients expressed their gratitude for the donation.
Speaking to Community Podium, Patience Ncube, a grandmother to one of the recipients, said the wheelchair will relieve her from carrying her granddaughter around.
” Owing to her physical condition, I have had to carry her around everywhere, all the time. I am glad that this wheelchair has come to my rescue,” she said.
Speaking during the official launch of the wheelchair distribution, the Deputy Director for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province in the Ministry of Sports, Youths, Arts and Recreation, Isaiah Mpofu encouraged parents of children living with disabilities to support and teach them hand skills so that they can be able to repair and invent wheelchairs.
“As parents we can teach children living with disabilities life skills such as how to manufacture and repair wheelchairs so that they can be sourced around Bulawayo”.
Nare pleaded withBulawayo residents to help in the sourcing of any assisting devices for people living with disabilities.
The occasion was graced by the performance of rising Bulawayo musician, Nomathamsanqa Mkwananzi who is affectionately known as Nkwali.
