Gweru-based organization Let’s Make A Difference Disability Zimbabwe (LMDDZ) which vigorously advocates for the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities has marked seven years of non-stop advocacy for economic empowerment, inclusion and fair representation of the group in all walks of life.
Some of the major achievements that the organization has recorded for the last years include engagements with local authorities towards services accessibility by persons with disabilities, donations of sanitary wear in schools and hosting of economic empowerment symposiums for young persons with disabilities.
In his message to mark this year’s commemorations, the organization’s Founder and Executive Director Advocate Nigel Tahwa vowed their long-standing commitment to foster disability inclusion at local level.
“We are excited to celebrate our anniversary this year with a number of notable milestones that we have recorded as an organization. We have so far managed to engage local authorities towards an improved service delivery system for persons with disabilities. All the engagements that we have done so far have changed the way of life for our beneficiaries.
“We have also been instrumental in donating stationery in schools and sanitary wear to girls. All this was meant to empower young persons with disabilities so that they become literate and knowledgeable to even know and defend their rights. As an organization we remain resolute to our stance of advocating for a safe and equitable environment for persons with disabilities. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the stakeholders who have been working with us since day one,” he said.
Meanwhile, a community member Tanyaradzwa Banda who shared her sentiments towards the services offered by organizations such as LMDDZ in the nation of Zimbabwe expressed content saying that the organizations are closing a huge a gap that has been existing before.
“I am pleased to see how the government of Zimbabwe is prioritizing inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities. Moreover, these independent organizations are also complementing government efforts towards the same goal. As a nation if we continue with the same spirit, I am very sure that we will achieve an inclusive and conducive environment that allows persons with disabilities to reach their full potential,” she said.
The National Disability Policy of 2021 which officially launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, on section 3.2.15 guarantees that persons with disabilities and their families must be empowered so that they use various resources including local resources to effectively and efficiently uplift their own standard of living as well as contribute towards the mainstream national development agenda.
