Botswana: Parents and guardian of people living with Disability in the Gaborone city converged in Extension 12 Park. The aim of the meeting was to discuss challenges that children face and find sustainable solutions.
The officials have shared that the meeting was facilitated with the aim of extending support to the families with people struggling with intellectual disabilities. The district council has been working with the families to make sure that people living with disabilities have access to all the facilities they need.
The workshop will give the families in attendance some ideas to support the people living with disabilities in the nation. The officials have shared several images from the event on their social media.
The welcome remarks for the workshop were delivered by Senior Social Welfare Officer Thabang Motsilenyane. She said the purpose of the workshop was to focus on individuals who look after children and youth living with intellectual and developmental disabilities like Cerebral Palsy, Autism and Down’s syndrome.
The caretakers, like the people struggling with disabilities, also need support for the members of the community. The officials have shared that the leadership
Motsilenyane said being a parent comes with challenges, more so when raising someone with disability. Motsilenyane said taking care of children with disability can cause emotional and physical stress which may be detrimental to the caregiver’s health and wellbeing in the long run.
Social Welfare Officer for Gaborone City Council Catherine Gosibotsile stressed that it is against this backdrop that the department offers Psychosocial support and care for caregivers to rejuvenate and uplift their general wellbeing and functioning.
Gosibotsile explained that the department provides an opportune time to learn about support services provided by the government and Non-Governmental Organizations.
For her part, Social Welfare Officer Lorato Mmipi said objectives of the retreat was to sensitize participants about services provided by Social & Community Development Office.
Mmipi added that the event also aimed to create awareness on mental health and other Non-Communicable Diseases as well as giving caregivers a break from their daily duties and focus on their wellbeing.