Emilie Shimbali
Seeking employment is no easy task and requires one to visit numerous companies to drop off your CV and if you happen to score an interview, you will have to meet face to face with your respective employer.
For Simson Paulus, however, moving to and from places looking for a job is not easy. He has been using a wheelchair since the age of 10, and to make matters worse, his current mode of transport has now become worn out, making moving around cumbersome.
His wheelchair has taken him through some tough days, but the structure is now old, and the batteries are dead and the wheels worn out.
In spite of his condition, Paulus (26) graduated from the University of Namibia in 2013 with a Diploma in Public Relations. He then went on to complete an honours degree in media studies last month, achieving a double major in electronic media and sociology.
He desperately wants a job to use his new-found knowledge, but just getting out to deliver his CV is made difficult due to the lack of a proper wheelchair.
“My current wheelchair, which was bought by a friend some years back, is now worn out, which is making it difficult for me to move around to different places, especially to submit my CV and attend interviews,” a despondent Paulus told New Era.
The graduate said he spends hours staring at his qualifications but then just put them back in the file, and go to bed each night for another sleepless night, not knowing what to do.
“Help me out with even a dollar. I can’t even go out of my room to submit my CV or attend interviews,” he said sadly.
After seeing his desperation, Paulus’ best friend Asante Katiti and his family members initiated a project to raise funds for a new wheelchair.
Titled ‘#SimsonsWheels’, the project aims to raise at least N$39 000 to acquire a new wheelchair. The wheelchair identified is a CE Power, foldable 36 Amp/hour batteries, 15 degrees max gradient, 7.2 km/hour.
“I want to live a life that proves that despite one’s disability, you can still attain an education and live a productive life. For me, this will be enabled by a functioning wheelchair and economic stability through a job,” said Paulus.
Despite his plight, he encouraged all hard-working people to never give up on what they are doing until they achieve their dreams.
“To my fellow people with disabilities; please let’s go out there and try to do something. Let’s not just stay and wait for people to do things for us, we are all able,” he emphasised.
Paulus is based in Outapi, Omusati region, where he advocates for sports, and coach women footballers.
He told New Era in an earlier interview that he chose to be a sport coach because he loves sport as it keeps him and everyone else away from many bad activities such as alcohol and drug abuse.
Meanwhile, by Wednesday afternoon, the fund had raised N$2 500.
To contribute, contact Katiti on 081 3582285. Alternatively, deposit into First National Bank Namibia account: 62243713981, reference: #simonswheels.
– emilienashea9@gmail.com