On 4 February 2015, BOFOD held a courtesy meeting to officially welcome back the SAFOD Secretariat, particularly its new Director General, Mr. Mussa Chiwaula, to Botswana.
During the meeting, BOFOD gave a brief report on its programs and relationships that it had cultivated with other stakeholders. BOFOD Coordinator, Ms. Shirley Keoagile, said BOFOD was made up of 10 Disability Peoples Organisations (DPOs) that are affiliated to the federation as members.
She also explained that the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) provides some grants to BOFOD to enable the operation of the secretariat and assist youth with disabilities who are unemployed to start their own businesses or projects to improve their lives.
In his remarks, SAFOD Director General said SAFOD was ready to provide any expert advice that BOFOD would need. He said SAFOD would be happy t support BOFOD in fundraising activities, capacity building, particularly in the development of a strategic plan, among other things.
“Policy and research are activities we are also going to focus on, as we need policy to ensure that Governments strategically implement programs that benefit persons with disabilities. And in terms of research, we need to have data available if we are to effectively design and implement these programs,” he added.
BOFOD Chairperson, Mr. Omphemetse Ramabokwa, reminded the the delegates that SAFOD had come to support BOFOD, besides other national affiliates in the ten countries where it operates, and he therefore encouraged BOFOD to provide the necessary support to ensure that the federation works cordially together with the umbrella for the benefit of the persons with disabilities in the country.
