“Free our Innocent” Project celebrated on International Day for Persons with Disabilities

During April of this year, QASA in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services implement the “Free Our Innocent” project. Prisoners with building skills from the Westville Prison were deployed into the neighboring community of Chesterville. They built ramps and scoops allowing access for wheelchair users whereby access was previously denied and gave the identified people, the freedom to leave their homes. Opportunity

The “Free our Innocent” Project was celebrated and handed over to the community on International Day for Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2009 with the Department of Correctional Services, QASA, the Chesterville community and project recipients and media in attendance. The Deputy Minister of the Department of Correctional Services, Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize and the Acting Regional Commissioner (KZN), Mr Mnikelwa Nxele

The day’s events start with a walkabout visiting each recipient’s home. Ms Mkhize and Mr Nxele spent time in the home of each receipt, discovering how the project has impacted on their lives. The community and media followed, celebrating joyously along the way. A ribbon was cut in front of project recipient Elizabeth Masondo’s home giving ownership of the project to the Chesterville community.

Everyone was invited to a venue at the Westville Prison for lunch, entertainment and speech of praise and recognition. Ms Mkhize praised the project and spoke on the Department of Correctional of Services commitment to the empowerment, integration and equality of persons with disabilities. QASA National Director, Ari Seirlis thank Department of Correctional of Services for the wonderful partnership and noted that project has changed the perspective of the community, who now celebrate the Prison.

“Free our Innocent”; many wheelchair users in Chesterville were imprisoned by inaccessible environments and now prisoners from the neighboring correctional service facility have helped to free these people by creating ramps and scoops which make the environment accessible.

Vusi Ndemini (QASA Board) and Ms Mkhize (Deputy Minister of the Department of Correctional Services) cut the ribbon and hand the project over to the Chesterville community.	Vusi Ndemini (QASA Board), Ms Mkhize (Deputy Minister of the Department of Correctional Services) with inmates and Department of Correctional Services representatives.

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