Selflessly helping the disabled
The recent winner of the Standard Bank Woman of Excellence Award for the work she does at Onyose Trust, Ebenecia Tjiveta said that every act of kindness to others is an act of kindness to Christ, hence passion to aid the helpless, in an interview with the Economist this week.
According to the woman of excellence, she rejoices every time when she is able to give assistance to those who need it.
The Onyose Trust was formerly known as the Jurgen Wahn Centre but became independent in 2001 and established itself as a registered welfare organisation. It has two programmes for children with intellectual disabilities and for slow learners.
“Many of the children come to the organisation are not able to walk and talk hence it affects their social skills with others,” she told the Economist.
She explained that many at times people with disabilities remain in needy conditions due to lack of accessibility of services and information that is initially directed to them, which makes life very difficult and frustrating for them.
“I therefore feel that it is our duty to avail our services as community workers and give them the help they need to become valued members of society, and for the Trust to continue this much needed work in our country, we need to hold hand to be able to give them the opportunity to live happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives,” she added.
She said even though they face challenges at the Trust, which include limited financial resources, shortage of staff, volunteer, health professionals, office equipment and a bus to transport the clients they always seem to pull through the obstacles.
“Never limit yourself and the potential God has created you with, therefore have the confidence to take risks even if it means that you might trip along the way, because ultimately you will learn from those experiences,” she said.
Her ultimate dream for Onyose is that it will become one of the leading organizations in Namibia to cater for people with disabilities and fulfil our mission that every person with a disability should achieve the possible highest level of personal independence and social participation.
“Let us educate ourselves on issues pertaining disabilities so that we can be able to understand that anyone can become disable overnight and therefore my desire is to see that every person with a disability in Namibia gets fair treatment,” she said.
