Opening ceremony of the center for culture, heritage, innovation and enterprise, C-CHIE

21 April 2023

SAFOD in collaboration with Loughborough University in the UK, implemented a 5 month pilot project (December 2022 to April 2023) in Botswana, Kgatleng District. Through this project a center for culture, heritage, innovation and enterprise (C-CHIE) was built at Kgatleng Disabled Persons Association (KDPA). The centre will be used as a training facility for skills sharing seminars and workshop for production of arts and crafts artefacts.

“Disability inclusion and mainstreaming has been a much-discussed topic and to be present here today to witness such an initiative ensures that we reach our goals through innovation and collaborations. More collaborations such as the one we are witnessing here between Southern Africa and the UK are key to achieving our goals. These links will see the enhancement of marginalized groups, not only that but their empowerment as well.” The guest of honor Assistant Minister of local government and rural development Honorable Mabuse Pule in his speech during the handing over ceremony held on the 21st of April 2023 at the KDPA premises.

The handing over ceremony brought together government stakeholders, community leaders, civil society organizations, organizations of persons, persons with disabilities,media and the general public.

The C-CHIE will be a cornerstone of more innovative initiatives to come, with the belief that the project can be scaled up and rolled out to other countries.