Katalemwa starts training parents of children with disabilities

By Norman Katende

Katalemwa Cheshire home has started an initiative to train parents of the disabled children in income generating activities, as a means of helping them sustain their livelihood. Most parents are spending over three months at the home as their children are rehabilitated.

But the new move is straining the home that is still struggling with finances to see that it helps an annual 15,000 children with disabilities get a smile on their face through the different services they offer.

The workers led by the ministry's personnel director, Catherine Musingwire hand over the cement to Katalemwa Cheshire home executive director, Samalie Matovu(left).

 
The home's executive director, Samalie Matovu, told officials from the public Service ministry that the home has no source of money and depends on donations.

The workers led by the ministry's personnel director, Catherine Musingwire and undersecretary Emmanuel Mugunga donated 50 mattresses, 50 bags of cement and an assortment of eats and drinks that the workers had contributed for over two years as a Corporate Social Responsibility.

 
"We charge sh7, 000 as the cost for each day for both the child and the guardian and this is inclusive of all the meals.  Since most of the parents have to stay here with their children, we also teach them other income-generating activities as a means of increasing their income," said Matovu.

Among the projects the parents are taught is hair plaiting, gardening, baking and piggery.

"We don't want them to sit back but we want them to be able to earn a living so that life does not become too hard for them."

Some of the products made by Katelemwa staff

 
The home also trains other disabled people in vocational training skills including making accessories for the disabled.

Musingwire was impressed by the works and promises that the ministry will continue doing all they can to ensure that the home's work of complementing government in seeing that the children get a better life is achieved.

"We are appreciating your work. You have a good heart and we will make sure that we tell the world so that many more can come and support you," Musingwire said.

Musingwire watches as a staff of Katalemwa explain his work