Windhoek: MTC Care, in partnership with the R¶ssing Foundation, has donated 10 wheelchairs worth N.dollars 80,000 to the National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN) to enhance mobility and promote independence among individuals with disabilities. The assistive devices were distributed to beneficiaries from various regions through the NDCN Community Assistive Device Drive, a nationwide initiative focused on providing mobility aids and protective equipment to those in need.

According to Namibia Press Agency, MTC Care is an employee-driven initiative where staff members of Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) contribute monthly to support social causes. At the handover event, NDCN Research and Development Committee chairperson Lawrence Kaimu praised MTC and the R¶ssing Foundation for their efforts, noting that the donation will significantly improve beneficiaries' mobility, participation in livelihoods, and access to opportunities.

Kaimu emphasized the importance of collaboration that promotes dignity, opportunity, and social progress. MTC Chief Brand, Marketing, Communications, and Sustainability Officer Tim Ekandjo advocated for ongoing partnerships instead of one-time interventions, suggesting that stakeholders consider making the donation program an annual event for a more substantial and sustainable impact.

Florian Engombe, representing the R¶ssing Foundation, highlighted the initiative's alignment with the foundation's commitment to dignity, resilience, and equal opportunities. The foundation's efforts focus on education, infrastructure repurposing, sustainable livelihoods, and partnerships.

In addition to the wheelchairs, seed funding totaling N.dollars 100,000 was allocated to five women entrepreneurs with disabilities. Each received equipment and materials valued at N.dollars 20,000 to aid their income-generating activities. NDCN board chairperson Chali Matengu acknowledged the initiative as a shared commitment to reducing dependency and fostering independence among individuals with disabilities.

NDCN Chief Executive Officer Angelique Philander expressed support for making the assistive device drive an annual initiative, noting that ongoing collaboration would enhance efforts to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities throughout Namibia.