First Lady calls stakeholders to help disabled

—–First Lady, Esther Lungu, says issues affecting people living with disabilities must not be left to government alone.

Mrs Lungu says disabled people need concerted support from all stakeholders in order to improve their welfare.

She expressed concern that society looks down on people with disabilities when they are part of God’s creation.

The First Lady said people with disabilities, just like the able-bodied, must be cared for without any discrimination.

Mrs Lungu was speaking yesterday when she visited an orphanage centre run by the Catholic Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary in Mbala district.

She also donated K 5, 000 cash and foodstuffs to the disabled children at the orphanage.

Mrs Lungu praised the Church for its critical role in addressing the needs of the under-privileged in society.

And centre coordinator, Yvonne Mwalula, said the orphanage was currently faced with numerous challenges.

Sr Mwalula said the centre was currently looking after 50 children with various disabilities but had no transport, water and adequate shelter to adequately cater for them all.

She called on well-wishers to come to the aid of the centre for them to operate effectively.