Held in Karachi, the event was also an occasion to remember the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. The president of the association behind the initiative, who is blind, called on people to take a chance on the potential of the disabled. "We do not want to be a burden on society or our families,” he said.
Karachi (AsiaNews) – The Peace Welfare Development Association, an NGO, organised the distribution on Wednesday of small donations of cash and checks to some sixty blind and disabled people.
Naveed Anthony, a Pakistani politician, took part in event. "I do not see any disabled person among all the people gathered here, but rather people with different abilities. For me, we are all equal and we all have the same rights."
Sabir Michael, who is blind, is the president of the association. His disability led him to strive to improve the lives of other people in the same condition. Today he is also a successful professor at Karachi University.
The distribution of money, as a token of solidarity, was done by Card Joseph Coutts, Archbishop of Karachi, and Enrico Alfonso Ricciardi, Italian vice-consul.
The event provided an opportunity to remember the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, for whom a minute of silence was observed.
Dr Michael said: "This is a sign of solidarity from us, disabled people, for the people of Sri Lanka to whom we assure our prayers."
Finally, turning to the cardinal, he invited him "to help us build a skill institute, as we have a lot of potential and can contribute to the development of society. We do not want to be a burden on society or our families."