Malawi Vice-President Jane Ansah has vowed to continue supporting people with albinism and short stature as part of efforts to promote inclusion and equal opportunities.
Ansah said this on Tuesday during luncheon in Blantyre for beneficiaries who completed driving lessons at Sabwera Driving School under the Jane Ansah Foundation.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to believe in themselves, develop a vision for their lives and work towards achieving their aspirations despite societal barriers and negative perceptions.
One of the beneficiaries, Rodwell Kamenya, popularly known as Mr Handisamu, thanked the Jane Ansah Foundation for supporting his ambition to learn how to drive a manual vehicle.
Kamenya said his passion for driving started several years ago when he had a personal gear extension fitted to make it easier for him to reach and operate the vehicle’s gears.
He encouraged other people with short stature to believe in their abilities and pursue their dreams regardless of their physical differences.
Ansah said the two graduates had demonstrated that their physical stature should not be used as a basis for denying them employment opportunities.
“I believe that Mr Handsome will not be rejected because he is short,” Ansah said.
She said Mr Handsome had demonstrated his ability to operate a vehicle, including reversing, with adaptations to accommodate his stature.
“He has demonstrated here that he has got those extensions. He has talked about 3.10, reverse, so he is even able to do reverse. It means he is just as good as any driver,” Ansah said.
Ansah said the Foundation’s approach was to provide people with skills that can enable them to become independent, rather than relying on financial assistance.
“This is what Dr Jane Ansah Foundation is all about. It is not about giving Mr Handsome 5,000 here, 1,000 there, but he should be able to earn,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chabwera Driving School owner Augustine Chabwera said the institution is committed to helping more people acquire driving skills, regardless of their physical circumstances.
Chabwera said the driving school believes in people’s capabilities and will continue providing opportunities for those who want to learn.
The luncheon marked the completion of the beneficiaries’ driving lessons, with the Jane Ansah Foundation saying the programme is aimed at promoting independence, skills development and access to opportunities for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
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