ARUSHA, Tanzania, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Tanzania on Wednesday donated 330 sewing machines to various women groups and 370 assistive devices to people with disabilities in the east African nation.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Chinese liaison office in Dodoma, the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Wang Ke said last year her office donated 350 sewing machines to four regions in the country, adding that this year's will go to some six regions.
"It is another gesture of sharing relationship in Tanzania," she said, adding that the beneficiaries do not only need skills but the means to support their families.
The Chinese ambassador added that the donation is under the Embassy's "Rafiki Programme" which is aimed at helping the marginalized groups of people. The diplomat noted that the plan is to make it as an annual event.
Jenista Mhagama, Tanzania's minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour, Employment, Youth and the Disabled commended the ambassador for the generous gesture.
"I would like to take this opportunity, to thank the ambassador in particular and all colleagues for the support of 370 of various assistive devices. The government appreciates the continuous support from the Chinese embassy," she said.
She said the Tanzanian government has long standing official cooperation with the government of China in a number of areas which have cemented an everlasting relationship between the countries and for this reason, the friendship between Tanzania and China will continue to grow.
According to the minister, the group of people with disability is one of the marginalized group the only solution to help this group is to give them education.
Basing on this, she said the government under the leadership of the Tanzanian President John Magufuli has put much emphasis on the free and inclusive education from primary to secondary school.
"The provision of these assistive devices will help the students easily get education and achieve their goals in life," she observed.
Assistive devices for people with disabilities we receive today will enhance their functional ability. Such devices including 50 wheelchairs, 50 white canes, 95 underarm and elbow crutches, 100 sunglasses, 50 wide brim hats and 25 braille kits.
