KAMAGUGU – The last time  you heard about them, was when  30 Sukumani Dream cyclists completed the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge to raise awareness and funds for their non-profit company.
There is such a huge need for assistive devices in local hospitals. Budgets available don’t allow for therapists to order these devices that encourage good alignment and positioning in a variety of postures – such as sitting, standing and lying.
This is why the main focus for Sukumani this year has been on supplying frames that help children with disabilities to stand, to more local hospitals in Mpumalanga.
Sadly these children are often left lying on the floor, and develop many secondary problems such as spinal deformities and contractures which can be largely prevented.
Sukumani is now proud to say that they have helped children in Themba, Tonga and Shongwe, Lydenburg, Tintswalo, Belfast and further away at Kalafong (Pretoria).
Once they have received the individual specifications from a number of other hospitals, they will distribute more frames to them.
In addition, two training days were held in January and March at Ermelo and Witbank hospitals, educating therapists on the importance of the frames and how to use them. This is key to this project as devices are often given to children without fitting and supporting the child correctly.
The two main centres of manufacturing continue to be KaMagugu Inclusive School, near Mbombela and Service Products in Johannesburg. The schools’ woodwork boys aged 17 to 18 years, continue to learn a variety of woodwork and work-ethic skills by being part of this project.
Furthermore, their confidence and self-esteem are improved as for once in their lives, they feel that despite their learning barriers, they are able to help others.
Enquiries: sukumanidream@gmail.com or 084-504-5475 or find them on Facebook (Sukumani Dream).