Awareness on people living with disabilities

THE Walvis Bay-based Kufamosha group has embarked on a programme of producing movies that focus on people living with disabilities.

Kufamosha is a community-orientated group that does cultural dances, life dramas and films around the country.

It started operating in 2001, and has produced about 16 films, including a popular one on domestic violence titled “Fiyo Onaini”, meaning “Until when?”

The group has decided to produce movies that raise awareness on the challenges faced by people living with disabilities, as well as demonstrate that people living with disabilities are only differently abled, but can do more than what people think of them.

The new film, titled “Omunaulema naye omunhu” meaning “A person living with a disability is also human”, was shot at Eenhana in the Ohangwena region.

It tells the story of two people with disabilities who are married and facing challenges and discrimination from their community.

The production of the film started four months ago, and the script and shooting was done by the group. The idea was born out of observations by the members on how society treats people with disabilities.

According to the group spokesperson, Otilie Mutumbulua, society needs to motivate people living with disabilities in order for them to live to their full potential.

“Some of us even mistreat or abuse people with disabilities unknowingly. Others are discouraged to do things, get into relationships or attempt to look for jobs because of cultural norms. Others are made to feel that they have no value in life or in their families,” she stated.

The DVD will be launched on Saturday, 1 July at the Disability Resources Centre at Okuryangava in Windhoek, and they plan to produce about 300 copies of the DVD.

Mutumbulua said making the film was, however, not very easy since it is a bit difficult to move around with people living with disabilities.

“We faced challenges like a lack of wheelchairs and transport as we found it very difficult to transport people from place to place for the cultural dances and the shooting of films. The entire project cost N$80 000”.

“As we said, we are involving people with disabilities in the film. We need financial help to acquire a lot of things like production equipment, cultural costumes, and for transport, amongst others. We are only a community group, but we have big plans which require financing,” Mutumbulua enthused. Group leaders can be contacted on 0812991211.

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