Disabled students receive awards
A total of 100 students with various disabilities were recruited for a youth development skills programme to give persons with disabilities significant skills in diverse areas by Limpopo Disability Empowerment.
The awards ceremony was hosted in Westenburg, where students received certificates of competence after completing the six months programme. Fourty physically disabled, 30 deaf and hard hearing persons and 30 blind and partially sighted people received certificates.
Established in 1997 under the non-profit organisation Act, Limpopo Disability Empowerment is an organisation for persons with disabilities in the province.
The initiative equips persons with disabilities with skills that will make them employable in the labour market by educating them with a range of project management tools, and techniques as well as support meetings and workshops.
The event included the stakeholders from the Office of the Premier, Grace and Hope Special School, Bana Ba Thari, managers of centres for children with disabilities around Polokwane and parents of learners who were awarded with certificates of competence.
The next step for the students is that they are placed at various institutions, where they gain practical experience and are exposed to the work environment.
Director of Limpopo Disability Empowerment Pulina Malope said it is important that persons with disabilities who have graduated are given a chance in the working industry. “We work with the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) who helps us identify and provide specific skills to our students to equip them with special skills in areas of employment.”
She added that Limpopo Disability Empowerment also collaborates with special needs centres, schools and parents to help educate on the many disabilities and how they can support people living with disabilities to improve their quality of life using programmes provided by the organisation.