Community urged to support event raising awareness of Down syndrome

Tsakane – Non-profit organisation (NPO) Lerato La Thati Foundation will be hosting a fund-raising event on February 29 at Faranani Multipurpose Centre.

The organisation offers support to parents with disabled children.

The support group meetings take place at 11270 Mandonsela Street, Tsakane.

Founder and project manager Johanna Molakeng says profits will contribute to the NPO’s Down syndrome campaign.

“The purpose of the event is to raise funds to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, which will be on March 21,” says Molakeng.

The organisation works with specialised doctors to educate the community about the disability.

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“What I have noted is that most parents whose children are disabled often feel ashamed of their children or you find that they lack information to make sound decisions when it comes to the future of their children.

“We offer educational classes, along with doctors to address whatever questions parents might have,” she explains.

“We are currently utilising my home for our support group meetings and some of the informative seminars that we host.”

She says she started the foundation after the death of her sister.

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“My sister’s daughter whom I am currently taking care off was born with Down syndrome, and after she died I had to step in as a legal guardian.

“That’s when I realised there is a gap in terms of information because these children are just as intelligent as other children.

“But because of a lack of information, parents are not getting their children proper treatment, for example, my sister never took her to see a speech therapist or attempted to find a suitable school for her.

“This is one of the reasons I do the work that I do because I want to change how people view disability,” explains Molakeng.

The event will start at 10.30am at Faranani Multipurpose Centre.

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