Lesotho National Association of the Physically Disabled (LNAPD) is involved in preparations for a project aimed at developing the association for its sustainability and empowering disabled persons.

In an interview with LENA, the President of the association, Mr. Khotso Petje indicated that the project, to be funded by the European Union, is intended to cover five districts of the country being Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Leribe, Butha-Buthe and Mokhotlong.

Mr. Petje said the activities of the project would include awareness about the association to attract new members to the association, and training of the physically disabled youth on leadership to prepare them to be good future leaders of LNAPD and other organizations.

The project will also focus on empowerment of the physically disabled women so that they become more active in the fight for women’s rights. Mr. Petje pointed out that they have been challenged to put some efforts on empowerment of women upon realization that the disabled women are not as active as other able bodied women on matters affecting women in general.

The project is expected to start early next year depending on the availability of funds. It is expected to stretch over a period of years.

It is also taking part in the fight against HIV/AIDS by conducting workshops to raise awareness about the disease to the disabled and to encourage them to avoid practices that may expose them to the dangers of the pandemic.

08 July,2002