GLOBALISATION AND DISABILITY CONSULTATION
Presented by Grace S Ramatsui 
Botswana Council of Churches Representative - Botswana

Executive Secretary, Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network Mr Samuel Kabue, Fellow Representatives, I bring fraternal greetings from Botswana Council of Churches (BCC).

Before addressing the subject matter it is my pleasure to share with you:

  • Annexure A Project Profile - My Work and Involvement in disability programme
  • Annexure B - The work/role of Botswana Council of Churches
  • Annexure C - Women and Globalisation - Botswana Perspective

Annexure A: MOTSWEDI REHABILITATION CENTRE
PROJECT PROFILE

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1 NAME OF ORGANISATION 
Motswedi Community Based Rehabilitation Centre 
Box 1396 Mochudi
Raserura Ward, Mochudi 
TELEPHONE: (267) 5729340/5728526
FAX: (267) 5729267
E-mail: Motswedirehab (at) botsnet.bw

1.3 DETAILS OF CONTACT PERSON
GRACE SOMANG RAMATSUI (MRS)
COORDINATOR
RECIPIENT: 
- Desmond Tutu Footprints of Legends Leadership Awards for 2002
- Florence Nightingale Award 2003
- Presidential Meritorious Award 2004

2. LEGAL STATUS
Notarial Deed of Trust 4/95
Tax No. T 04007202027

2.1 Date of Registration
6th February 1995

2.2 Nature of the Organization
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)

2.3 Auditors
Kesav & Company
Certified Public Accountants
P O Box 1157
Gaborone, Botswana.

2.4 Affiliation
- Member of Botswana Council of Churches (BCC)
- Botswana Council for the Disabled (BCD)
- Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC)
- Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisation (BOCONGO)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR POLICY AND GOVERNANCE
Eighteen (18) members comprising of Church and Community members, person with disability, and parents of children with disability and Ex-officio members.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Coordinator
Rehabilitation Technician
Typist/Accounts Clerk

There are 24 staff members i.e. 
- Coordinator
- Rehabilitation Technicians (3)
- Typist/Accounts Clerk
- Drivers (2)
- Field Workers
- House cares(6)
- Horticulturalist
- Horticulturalist assistants(2)
- Cooks (2)
- Cleaners (2)
- Pre -school Teachers (2)
- Day Security/Grounds man

PRIMARY SERVICES PROVIDED
- Community Based Rehabilitation
- Outreach Programme - Disability Community Home Based Care for HIV/AIDS
- Day Care Centre for children with mental and physical disabilities
- Residential services (hostel)
- Physiothereapy
- Skills/Ability Training in Horticultre, paultry. Basic Home ------ Economics and Textile/Sewing
- Resettlement programmes
- Shelltered emplolyment
- Advocacy for educational and self-development for people with disabilities
- HIV and AIDS Programme

LOCATION
Motswedi Centre is situated on plot measuring 200x200 square metres on western part of Mochudi village. It is in a new area however in close proximity to Primary School, Secondary School and a Clinic. It is linked by tarred road from Gaborone and the centre of the village.

Building comprises:
- Administration Block
- Two Classrooms
- Ablution Block
- Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Block
- Staff room and staff Toilets Block
- Kitchen and Dining Hall Block with two storerooms
- Children's residential (Hostel) Block with Housemother's two bedroom flat, lounge and ablutions; - Parent's accommodation with ablutions and rest huts.

HISTORY OF OUR ORGANISATION
Motswedi (means a fountain) Community Based Rehabilitation is a Church related non-profit making welfare project initiated by the Mothers Union of the Dutch Reformed Church in Mochudi Botswana, which is a member of Botswana Council of Churches (BCC). The Mother's Union besides meeting for Spiritual nourishment has since its inception been involved in Welfare and Community Development. The services are anchored on the premise that "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me". During the course of Mothers Union's work in the community most people with disabilities were found lying around their homes without any provision for rehabilitation, welfare and educational needs. Volunteers mainly Mothers Union members participate in Outreach. The reasons for involving non-professional is to train them to identify people with disabilities in the community, teach and demonstrate prescribed physical exercises at basic level. One other important reason is to give the community a feeling of ownership - and sustain continuity of the programme.

It would not be advisable to suggest that there are no efforts made by the Government to provide services to the people with disabilities in Botswana. However disability is one area of need that was underserved.

In 1988 Mrs Grace Ramatsui a nurse by profession volunteered to co-ordinate Mothers Union projects. In 1990 she commissioned a survey with the support of Botswana Council of Churches. From there to date Botswana Council of Churches had a pivotal role in providing spiritual, moral, capacity building and financial support within its means. Some of the services that we supported with are Horticulture and Poultry, which have provided employment to the special youths both males and females, capacity building by co-funding staff scholarships and partly funded one of the classroom blocks. Presently we have seventeen (17) on sheltered employment and skills/ability training. Carpentry training with capacity of twenty(20) youths, will be introduced in the beginning of 2005 first term, construction is at plastering level.

From this survey it was evident that provision of services for people with disabilities were inadequate. It was also established that out of six hundred and eighty people with disabilities 30% were children of ages two to sixteen (2-16 years) with mental and physical disabilities who would have benefited from stimulation, welfare and placement for education. Furthermore a high incidence of congenital defects and disability from Road Traffic accidents was noted. On this basis we developed Community Based Rehabilitation to bridge the gap. In 1988 Mrs Grace Ramatsui a Nurse by p-rofession volunteered to co-ordinate Mothers Union projects. In 1993 with assertiveness she initiated CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation) outreach project. In 1995 developed Motswedi Community Based Rehabilitation Centre which is the first and only Non-Governmental Organisation project in Kgatleng District providing services for people with disabilities, 2000 expanded services to provide residential (hostel) care. The services now benefit people with disabilities countrywide.

Grace Ramatsui was awarded with:
- The Desmond Tutu Footprints of Legend - 2002
- Florence Nightingale 2003
- Presidential Meritorious in recognition of her services.

One of the areas she worked on was to motivate people with disabilities to form associations so that they speak with one voice through pressure groups. Regrettably people with disabilities associations in Botswana are not pro-active.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Strengthening of the existing National Community Based Rehabilitation(CBR) services to enable people with disabilities achieve their maximum potential.

VISION
Equalization of opportunities for people with disabilities.

AIM
To enable people with disabilities to achieve their full potential.

LONG TERM OBJECTIVE
Equal opportunities for people with disabilities in education, health and life skills social services and take part in decision-making in national affairs particularly in matters that concern them.

FUNDING
Government provides funding for recurrent expenditures wile donors including BCC give contribution in cash and kind.

SERVICES
Our programme provides a comprehensive provision of services to people with disabilities children and adults. Recently an effort was made towarda a holistic approach to include HIV and AIDS by teaming up with District Home Based Care Staff.

  • Outreach Services
  • Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme
    - Rehabilitation
    - Counselling
    - Adaptations of home environment
  • Physiotherapy
    - Treatment of Clients through exercises
    - Provision of assistive Aids and Appliances
  • Day Care Services
    - Clients fetched on daily basis to and from their homes
    - Transport to medical facilities
    - Support for parents through Group Therapy which relate to specific Impairment groups e.g. Cerebral Palsy
  • Stimulation Class
    - Teaching activities of daily living
    - Pre-literacy skills (Number work and Reading)
    - School placement in special/or mainstream schools.
  • Occupational/Skills Training in horticulture, poultry, sewing and basic home eonomics
    - Teaching life skills
    - Sheltered employment for youths with disabilities
    - Literacy non-formal education for youth with learning disabilities.
  • Hostel Accomodation
    - To accommodate children from remote areas
    - Intensive physiotherapy
    - Respite Care
    - Orphans
  • Parents' Accommodation
    - To accommodate visiting parents coming from outside the village.

Annexure C: GLOBALISATION AND DISABILITY - BOTSWANA PERSPECTIVE

Globalisation has brought wealth and prosperity to many nations. At the same time it has its negative impact in the developing countries - Botswana is no exception. The most visible in our country are unemployment and poverty. Unemployment has affected all categories professionals alike. People with disabilities particularly women are more affected due to lack of skills. In 2002 it was estimated that 30% of total population lived in poverty. The population of Botswana is 1.6 million. The Government of Botswana does not discriminate on basis of colour, creed, gender or disability. In this regard people with disabilities are involved to participate in decision making at all levels but still have the liberty to form their own associations as well. Government has put in place through legislation various micro financial assistance schemes to promote creation of jobs. Women have an added advantage in one of the Financial Assistance Programme (FAP) whereby they are awarded 13% less in interest charges. NEPAD and NAAMPAD have recently been launched and in operation by some farmers. People with disabilities are also benefiting from these schemes. Botswana is a partner of the Millennium Development Goals but had earlier in 1997 launched Vision 2016 whose goals are similar amongst them eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. All these development initiatives are in an effort to reduce dependency/charitable syndrome. Only the severely incapacitated are legible for social/security welfare assistance. Temporary relief can only be given to deserving people.

However HIV and AIDS pandemic have undermined all initiatives undertaken towards meeting the challenges of poverty and unemployment.

Botswana Council of Churches affirms out of faith in Jesus Christ that we are called to work towards humanisation of our World.