Earlier this week, Kick4Life hosted the Lesotho Network of the Development of the Blind (LNDB) to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).
IDPD is observed annually on the 3rd of December, but LNDB commemorated it on Tuesday, 17th December under this year’s theme of ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’.
With the aim of challenging negative stereotypes and promoting disability inclusivity, the day’s activities began with a walk around the Old Europa neighbourhood (around the Kick4Life Centre and the Palace of Justice) where people without visual impairment, mainly comprising of Kick4Life staff and volunteers, were blindfolded and guided by the blind throughout the walk using walking sticks. The groups then switched positions, with sighted individuals guiding the blind without walking sticks.
After the walk, all participants went to Kick4Life’s 5-a-side pitch to play sports. The first sport was football, where sighted individuals were blindfolded to play against the blind using a specialised ball with ringing bells. The second sport was ‘Goal Ball’, a team sport designed specifically for athletes with visual impairment. Representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, and Culture were also in attendance.
The main aim of the day was to promote understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the rights, dignity, and well-being of people with disabilities. Attendees were urged to be supportive and encouraging to people with different disabilities, including challenging discrimination, providing necessary resources and celebrating their successes.
Kick4Life’s Academy Director, Maleshoane “Auntie Lash” Mokhathi, said: “The event has validated Kick4Life’s commitment to the inclusion of people living with disabilities in sports, academics, and life in general. The organization uses the power of football to address and create awareness of the challenges that people living with disabilities face on a daily basis. This event has increased the number of our collaboration partners living with disabilities, and we are proud to live up to this commitment. As an organization that affords youth, regardless of their abilities, the opportunity to unleash their personal potential, I believe we are doing just that!”
