ASSOD’s Acting National Coordinator, Allan Masuka, said deaf people had been neglected.
“Unlike other disabilities, deaf people do not usually get public or government sympathy,” said Masuka in a recent interview with The Zimbabwean.
In response to the challenges faced by hits members mobilised resources from donors and established the factory.
“A lot of our members acquired skills in carpentry, tailoring, welding and metal work at Jairos Jiri training centre but they were not employed,” he said.
Since the inception of the project last year, 10 members have been employed. The factory, specialises in the manufacture of heavy duty water tank stands, school furniture, sliding gates, window and door frames, as well as pre-school equipment and an assortment of household furniture.
The organisation has hired a sign language interpreter who helps the workers to communicate with clients and other service providers. One of the beneficiaries, Saul Ndlovu, hailed Assod for coming up with the venture. “I trained in metal work at Jairios Jiri but I have not been able to showcase my talent because no company was willing to employ me. Since Assod employed me, I am now able to provide for my children’s school fees and feed my family,” said Ndlovu, who is also the workshop supervisor.
Masuka said ASSOD, which is an affiliate of the Federation of Organisations of Disabled Persons in Zimbabwe, had also been assisting its members with projects such as loans, chicken rearing, tailoring and carpentry.
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