The following post was submitted by POA Online Volunteer Barbara Dettweiler

Dennis Alexander, CEO of Botswana Medical Aid Society (BOMAID), whose mission is to “provide competitive and diverse health care funding through innovation and service excellence” spoke recently at the National Disability Awareness Day commemorated in Francistown stadium in Botswana. 

"People with disabilities are among the poorest and most marginalised of all the world’s people", he said.  "People with disabilities face similar challenges, but the difference between the looks of desperation, optimism and hope is made possible by respect, social integration in the community and access to health and rehabilitation services; services that provide tools to overcome challenges they are facing in the society," he said.

Alexander urged the audience to include those with disabilities in decisions so that they can contribute to their country’s economic progress, as well as recognizing the democratic values of full participation of all citizens.  Until now those with disabilities in Botswana have been segregated from society and marginalized economically, hindering their ability to contribute to decision making.  Alexander is contributing  to improving this situation via awareness-raising events such as these .