PWDs challenged to form associations

Caption:  Brown Kapi seated overseeing the donated goods being moved

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, September 25, 2013 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

KAPI Foundation Chairman, Brown Kapi, challenged PWDs (people with disabilities) to form their own association from their area to help themselves have a voice and receive assistance and training to be self sufficient.

He made the challenge at Saraga Settlement at 6 Mile in Port Moresby yesterday when assisting PWDs there with food rations, clothes, and wheel chairs.

Kapi said that if they mobilize then everything will work out for them when they are together- reiterating that organizations like his would not always be around.

“I keep saying this to all PWDs that I visit that to form associations in their areas, and unfortunately so far I have not seen any spring up.”

“You must understand that no one will want to sign a cheque to just a few individuals unless you are part of a big group,” he said.

Mr Kapi set up the Kapi Foundation to assist people like himself, saying that they did at the foundation was to not only assist with goods but also try to get rid of the stereotype of PWDs being objects of charity, by initiating training through the PNG Rehabilitation Centre, and being independent by helping ourselves.

He acknowledged the presence of the community leaders because their involvement is very vital as they are responsible for the community at large.

The foundation presented three bales of secondhand clothing, bales of rice, and other store goods, along with five wheelchairs to five recipients in the PWD community there.

Community leaders like the secretary for the local disable association Martin Yondi aired their appreciation to the foundation chairman for his visit and the contribution of the foundation towards PWDs at the settlement.

“We are very happy with the foundation coming here and looking at our needs, something we have never had, for the more than 100 people we have here with special needs.”

“Some of us family members of PWDs cannot even afford assistive devices like wheelchairs, which can cost close to a K1000 for one, you are the only one that goes and comes never forgetting us, God bless you Mr Kapi,” Mr Yondi said.

Peter Kaupa, the Interim Chairman of Six Mile Disables Association, thanked the Kapi Foundation for their immense support, and assured Brown Kapi that they were working on finalizing their association, and thanked him for challenging them to do so.

The Kapi foundation aims to help PWDS in communities on a fortnightly basis and has so far, apart from the donations, the foundation has spent in access of K40,000 to K50,000.