MACOHA was established as a statutory corporation in 1971 by an Act of Parliament to empower people with disabilities and enable them to actively participate in social economic development of their communities and the country; a role the institution said it has managed to fulfill over the years.

At this institution people with disabilities are trained to among other things make carpets, rugs, and handbags.

But according to the center manager the Bangwe Weaving Factory has been operating on the outdated equipment citing the tailoring machines which have never been replaced since 1988.

“We have dedicated members of staff who can work if we are provided with the best equipment “said Henderson Nyondo Centre Manager Bangwe Weaving Factory."

Nyondo added that currently the factory is struggling to satisfy the demand for its products and consequently losing out on business deals because of the inefficiencies in the outdated equipment.

“We lost K4 million from a UK customer ,we were told to produce embroidery bags and mats, but since we had no fund to produce these things and between January and now we have lost K35 Million to the same challenge” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati visited the institution and promised that government will help the institution where it can.