Experience shapes us our characters and how we perceive the world.
For Charles Nyakurwa, while growing up in a rural area, seeing his deaf brother struggling with doing things himself took for granted made him realise the plight of people with disabilities more. And the best way he decided to play a part was to establish, Deaf Hands @ Work, a non-governmental organisation to create employment opportunities for deaf and disabled individuals, skilled or unskilled, regardless of their race or nationality.
Deaf Hands@Work offers a range of services including domestic cleaning, carpentry, vehicle maintenance, project management, painting and tiling. By assisting people with disabilities to find employment, the organisation is helping them to find a purpose in life and achieve a level of independence.
Nyakurwa says the organisation is committed to make society see the hidden talent that society overlooks in individuals with disabilities. “We see South Africa as a country where people with disabilities are influential role models. Ultimately, we want to erode the perception from disAbility to this Ability in Us!”
Taking the initiative further, Nyakurwa says that he has bought five containers in Masiphumelele township to start training employable skills and building a culture of learning for those who are disabled and visionary leaders. His objective is to achieve zero percent unemployment for people with disabilities in every township in South Africa.
Remarkably, Nyakurwa established the Deaf Hands@Work singlehandedly without even a cent from big corporations. He reminisces: “I had no funding. I was working as a waiter, studying and sending my brother to school. At the same time, a fire burnt away all my savings.” But undeterred, he soldiered on with grit.
With that kind of determination, no obstacle can stand in the way of awakening society’s conscience to the value of people with disabilities.
