Barclays to the disadvantaged: Count on us to ease your woes

SYLVESTER DOMASA in Dodoma

BARCLAYS Bank Tanzania has pledged support to People living With Disabilities (PwDs), a marginalised group that has largely been left out of the financial system, further committing 15mil/- in support to Ikupa Trust Fund for the purpose.

Aron Luhanga, the Head of Marketing at Barclays Bank Tanzania, made the announcement yesterday at a three-day capacity building training for women living with disabilities and gender imbalance.

The training, which was launched by National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, was attended by people with visual impairments, members of the albino community and those with hearing impairments as well as physically challenged persons.

“It is the first time Barclays is committing support to such special groups, as they are part of our family,” said Mr Luhanga, adding: “Barclays believes in equal opportunity for everyone and hence this donation continues to cement our commitment to making a positive impact in the society in which we serve by advocating change.”

The bank’s Head of Marketing said Barclays now plans to increase support to PwDs by helping promote awareness over their fundamental rights.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ackson said the government had made positive headway in addressing challenges facing people with disabilities.

“I am not saying that we have managed to end the challenges, we all understand that our children, especially those in schools, are still facing some challenges; we need to improve infrastructure and other learning environment,” she said.

Dr Tulia also urged public and private institutions to train part of their staff on sign language to be able to communicate with those in need of their services.

The deputy speaker said there are a number of schools that can help bridge the gap and promote equality in service delivery.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Mr Amos Mpanju, meanwhile asked financial institutions to introduce a special package for People with Disabilities towards enhancing financial inclusion.

Mr Mpanju said banks should adopt as low as 5 per cent interest rate specifically for PwDs who seek loans from their institutions.

“This can increase the number of clients but also inclusion on PwDs.” Stella Ikupa, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office charged with people with disabilities, explained that the training sessions sought to increase awareness amongst Local Government Authority and private sector players on gender imbalance as well as promote a conducive strategy for women living with disabilities on maternal health and socio-economic development activities and gender equality.

SYLVESTER DOMASA in Dodoma

BARCLAYS Bank Tanzania has pledged support to People living With Disabilities (PwDs), a marginalised group that has largely been left out of the financial system, further committing 15mil/- in support to Ikupa Trust Fund for the purpose.

Aron Luhanga, the Head of Marketing at Barclays Bank Tanzania, made the announcement yesterday at a three-day capacity building training for women living with disabilities and gender imbalance.

The training, which was launched by National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, was attended by people with visual impairments, members of the albino community and those with hearing impairments as well as physically challenged persons.

“It is the first time Barclays is committing support to such special groups, as they are part of our family,” said Mr Luhanga, adding: “Barclays believes in equal opportunity for everyone and hence this donation continues to cement our commitment to making a positive impact in the society in which we serve by advocating change.”

The bank’s Head of Marketing said Barclays now plans to increase support to PwDs by helping promote awareness over their fundamental rights.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ackson said the government had made positive headway in addressing challenges facing people with disabilities.

“I am not saying that we have managed to end the challenges, we all understand that our children, especially those in schools, are still facing some challenges; we need to improve infrastructure and other learning environment,” she said.

Dr Tulia also urged public and private institutions to train part of their staff on sign language to be able to communicate with those in need of their services.

The deputy speaker said there are a number of schools that can help bridge the gap and promote equality in service delivery.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Mr Amos Mpanju, meanwhile asked financial institutions to introduce a special package for People with Disabilities towards enhancing financial inclusion.

Mr Mpanju said banks should adopt as low as 5 per cent interest rate specifically for PwDs who seek loans from their institutions.

“This can increase the number of clients but also inclusion on PwDs.” Stella Ikupa, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office charged with people with disabilities, explained that the training sessions sought to increase awareness amongst Local Government Authority and private sector players on gender imbalance as well as promote a conducive strategy for women living with disabilities on maternal health and socio-economic development activities and gender equality.