Mochudi Resource Centre for the Blind (MRCB) operates as a registered Non- Governmental and Non Profit Making organization. The mother body is the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana. For the past forty four (44) years the Centre has been contributing significantly in promoting education of children with visual challenges in Botswana through provision of Resedential service. However, in 2008 Mochudi Resource Centre assumed its authentic shape as a Resource Centre by complementing the residential service with provision of Rehabilitation and Resettlement programs to children with visual challenges.
This includes but not limited to: appropriate accommodation facilities, therapeutic and specialized training to both children and parents, early stimulation of children under the age of six, referrals for further intervention, Community Based Rehabilitation and Advocacy for children with Visual Challenges in Botswana
As a result of this move, the numbers of children with visual impairment who need MRCB services keep on increasing on annual basis. To date the Centre caters for 78 children with visual challenges who come from different parts of the country, (53 boys and 25 girls). Sixty seven (67) of these children attend primary school at Matsieng during school hours. They then attend therapy, rehabilitation and resettlement programs after school hours and during the weekends. Eleven (11) children under the age of six are rehabilitated under early stimulation program in the Centre where they receive therapy and M&O. The Centre further contributes maximally in the identification of more children with visual challenges through its Community Based Rehabilitation Program.
During the FY 2012/2013 Nineteen (19) children were identified through the Centre's CBR program. Eight (8) have been placed at Matsieng Primary School whilst eleven (11) remained under the Early stimulation Program It is therefore very important to note that Mochudi Resource Centre is not a school but a Resource / Rehabilitation Centre that promotes learning and personal development for children with visual challenges by:• Providing them with residential services, since children come from faraway places to attend primary school at Matsieng Primary in Mochudi.• Providing therapy to those children with physical defects that may hinder their movement and limit them from using their physical structures.• Providing early stimulation: preschool and therapy to children under the ages of six in preparation for enrolment in primary school.• Providing resettlement programs that are aimed at helping children interact and participate in all the activities that take place within the society, like sports, recreation, shopping, educational tours etc. Children are provided with counseling and other social services. The program largely targets skills development, personal development and growth of each individual child so that they grow fully into responsible and productive citizens of this country.
1.1 Different groups of children served at Mochudi Resource Centre for the Blind Mochudi Resource Centre serves children with visual challenges; nevertheless, there are other challenges that children present with in addition to the challenge of vision.• 54 Children with visual challenges only• 15 Children with physical, behavioral and learning disabilities• 7 Children on ARV Treatment
2.0 MRCB STRATEGIC PLAN MRCB continues to operate under the guidance of its strategic plan 2009/ 2012. The strategic plan enables the Centre to actively seek new opportunities consistent with envisioned outcomes of achieving independent and virtuous lives for children with visual impairments in Botswana. Mochudi Resource Centre hence reallocates its resources to the priority areas of need in its quest to achieve institutional capacity for growth and effective service delivery.