DILI, 01 july 2022 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste Blind Association (AHDMTL), today celebrates its 11th anniversary, in Malauana, Dili where it has been established as an organization dealing with Persons with Disabilities (PwD) specifically paying attention to persons with vision impairment in Timor – Leste.
The Temporary Director of AHDMTL, Gabriel Ponciano de Sousa, said that the role of AHDMTL in Timor – Leste was to fight for the fate of visual impairment to contribute to and take part in the development of Timor – Leste.
“Today we celebrate the 11th anniversary of AHDMTL with the hope of fighting for the fate of the blind people for them to have the same rights as other people in Timor – Leste,” said the interim Director of AHDMTL, Gabriel Ponciano de Sousa, to TATOLI in Manlaeuna on Friday.
At one point in this commemoration, Sousa called on people in Timor-Leste to stop all forms of violence and discrimination against persons with disabilities at the same time requested the government and partners to assist the program for people with disabilities: “Currently AHDMTL has around 14,128 visually impaired people, AHDMTL would like to take this opportunity to call on the Government, International Partners, and relevant agencies to assist the AHDMTL program in empowering persons with disabilities, especially blind people,”
Deputy Chief of Presidential Expert Staff, Henriqueta Maria da Silva in her speech conveyed a message of congratulations from the President of the Republic José Ramos Horta to the organization of people with disabilities on the 11th Anniversary of AHDMTL and committed to promoting all programs for people with disabilities and hoped to solve all the difficulties faced by them.
“The President will work closely with Principal Advisor Gaspar Afonso, to continue talking with the Timor-Leste government, international partners, and relevant institutions to pay attention to the rights of persons with disabilities in Timor-Leste through the allocation of funds to empower their capacities and have inclusive rights to access education and other development sectors so that they will have the same rights as others, to contribute to the national development process in Timor-Leste,” She said.
At the same place Plan International Representative in Timor – Leste, Antonieta Maia Gesi said, Plan international has become a permanent partner of AHDMTL, so it will support all AHDMTL programs to empower AHDMTL members through non-formal training in Timor – Leste.
The celebration of the 11th anniversary of AHDMTL was marked by the launch of the biographical book of AHDMTL written by Gaspar Afonso.
Other activities were also conducted during the celebration, including traditional dance performances and the distribution of certificates of appreciation to three Braille teachers who have been teaching Braille to AHDMTL members.
Present at the 11th Anniversary of AHDMTL were Presidential Staff, representatives of the Indonesian Embassy, representatives of Plan International, and other guests.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B
