Neo Matwa was among 50 disabled people from Aliwal North in Eastern Cape who received food parcels and sanitary pads as part of the Covid-19 relief. The father of three who is partially blind said it has been difficult to get employed as he is often told about his disability. “Things are bad sisi wam (my sister), it’s hard to get piece jobs because of the lockdown,” said Matwa.
He said the food parcels came at the right time and for a short while his family will have something to eat.”I am very excited, especially because even Joe Gqabi municipality has promised to help us with the compost waste project which will be handed in a month’s time. That will create jobs for us disabled people,” he added.
The donation came after the Eastern Disability Economic Empowerment Trust in partnership with Down Syndrome and Epilepsy SA received a batch of sanitary towels and wet wipes from the department of women, youth and persons with disabilities and P&G South Africa, on behalf of the disability sector in the province as part of the contribution towards Covid-19 relief.
The Eastern Cape Disability Economic Empowerment Trust chief executive officer Thabiso Phetuka said they handed over the donations to 15 disabled people’s organisations to benefit over 500 people with disabilities. “At least this month they won’t have to worry about food. You also find a family of five depending on this disability grant of one person. This was a big day for families who also got hot meals from Meals on Wheels,” said Phetuka.
