FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES’
A DISABILITY activist from Glen Norah A is appealing for land to build a school for children with disabilities in her community.
Tendai Mhlanga (56), the chairlady of Imba House, an organisation that looks after children with disabilities, believes that building a day and boarding school for children with disabilities, will ease their plight.
“For now, we have 100 children in our database that we want to enrol once the school is built.”
The organisation was given a license in 2020 to provide shelter, psychological, financial, material and educational support to children with disabilities.
Mhlanga says children with disabilities travel long distances to access education, and often face transport challenges.
As a result, some of them are no longer going to school.
“My grandson could not continue going to school because I did not have money for transport,” said a widow from Glen Norah A.
“I will be grateful if a school is built here in Glen Norah for these children.”
Another parent from Glen Norah, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said:
“We want schools that offer quality education to our children and teach real life skills.
“At the previous schools that my son attended, he didn’t get much in terms of skills.
“I support the proposal to construct a local school. “
The idea is also being supported by the community leadership, which is equally concerned about the welfare of children with disabilities.
Glen Norah Ward 29 Councillor, Tendai Matafi, said while he was in support of the proposed school there was need to prioritise the requirements of the children.
“Yes, a school must be built but, there must be a home which will offer exercises for the children as well as teaching parents how to take care of their children.”
Mhlanga explained how her passion for children with disabilities began.
“I remember my late father teaching us to care for all people with disabilities.
“From as far as 2001, it has been a family thing to always help children with disabilities.
“This initially began as a church project. “I was a volunteer until my brother decided that we should start our own organisation to help children from Glen Norah.
“That is how Imba House was formed.”
She says her brother has partnered with some of his friends, who are based in the United Kingdom, to provide support.
Pastor Kudakwashe Shongwa, from the United Methodist Church, said he admires Mhlanga’s charity work.
“She has helped many children in the community,” he said.
“She has gone as far as providing food hampers for children from the community.
“I was part of the team that witnessed the donations that were given by Imba House in 2020.”