Jesus Cares ministries donate 2 wheelchairs

Central Province Minister Sydney Mushanga has called for concerted efforts for social inclusion of persons with disabilities if their rights are to be realized. Mr Mushanga who is also Bwacha Member of Parliament said this yeterday when he handed over two wheelchairs sourced with the support of Jesus Cares Ministries International to two disabled persons in Bwacha Constituency. He said government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu was committed to reducing suffering among the vulnerable groups in General and persons living with disabilities in particular. Mr Mushanga said this is because the principle of equity enshrined in the social protection policy was meant to ensure that social protection measures reached the poor and vulnerable without leaving anyone behind as it promotes the participation of persons living with disabilities at all levels of social and economic activity. He observed that despite the fact that the Disability Act of 2012 ensured full and equal human rights and freedoms to persons with disabilities, their rights were not fully enjoyed. ”It is for this reason that my office with the support of Jesus Cares Ministries International has today decided to make a humble contribution towards promoting the plight of persons living with disabilities by donating wheelchairs,” he said. He has since called on the recipients of the wheelchairs to put them to good use. Mr Mushanga said his office would also empower persons with disabilities who were in agriculture with farming inputs and other food stuffs. Earlier, Provincial Social Welfare Officer Margaret Chendela said her Ministry was man dated to look after the vulnerable adding that there was positive discrimination by ensuring that disabled people were given more money. And one of the recipient’s Amos Zulu thanked government for the gesture saying the wheelchair would go a long way in aiding his mobility.-