'Help needy people stand on their own'

IPP Executive Chairman Reginald Mengi has said that people in need should be helped by being empowered so that they can manage their lives.

``The only solution to helping people in need is to empower them so that they can generate income to run their lives,`` Mengi said.

Mengi made the remarks on Sunday in Morogoro at the launch of St Hyasinta Centre and a gospel music album by the Hyasinta choir of Mafiga B sub-parish in the Kiwanja cha Ndege parish of the Roman Catholic Church.

The centre is intended to help various groups in the society including widows, orphans, people living with HIV/Aids and people with disabilities, to improve their lives.

A total of 27m/- in cash and pledges was collected during the launch. The money is intended to improve the centre.

Mengi said people with disabilities should be empowered so that they can make use of what they have to generate income.

He said if a person has any kind of disability, they should not lament for what has already passed but rather make use of what has remained.

``We should help people with disabilities by empowering them so that they make use of what has remained by engaging in various income-generating activities,`` he said.

He, however, said if a person doesn\'t belong to any of the groups of people in need they should recognise that it is because of God`s will.

``It is important that you look at yourself and ask why you don\'t have any disability,`` Mengi said.

He said people should understand that they have the responsibility to thank God, stressing that the only way to do that is by taking care of needy people.

``A person will not be judged by the riches they possess, but rather by how they helped others in need,`` Mengi said.

Mengi however urged the Hyasinta Centre leadership to use the money raised wisely and ensure that it reaches the intended people.

``You should make sure that the money obtained today is spent wisely and reaches the intended groups because, if you will not do so, it will be a shame to the leaders and the Church as well,`` Mengi said.

Mengi, who contributed 25m/-, requested that his contribution be channelled to two groups including the school for orphans and people living with HIV/Aids.

David Mganga, a member of the Hyasinta Centre committee, said apart from singing the choir had been helping the needy in the society.

He said the centre started as a choir but later decided to engage in helping people including widows, orphans, people living with HIV/Aids and people with disabilities.

He said the centre was facing a number of challenges, including lack of transport to reach people in need. He appealed for assistance from all well-wishers so that they could achieve their goals.

Morogoro Urban legislator Dr Omar Mzeru commended the good work done by Hyasinta Centre in helping people in need in the community.

He said their assistance was highly appreciated and called on more groups to do likewise.

* SOURCE: Guardian, 29 Jan 2008
By Lydia Shekighenda, Morogoro