Olesego Kalushi Foundation walks to raise awareness about Down Syndrome
Foundation founder and CEO Motlatso Moloi said the charity walk was intended not only to highlight stereotypes faced by children with Down syndrome, but discrimination of them in public spaces.
While many were celebrating Human Rights Day, the Olesego Kalushi Foundation (OKF) held its first Down syndrome fundraising awareness walk.
The 3km walk took place on March 21, from Kyalami Corner and was held under the theme ‘End the Stereotypes’, which encourages communities to change the negative perspective around people with this genetic disorder.
Foundation founder and CEO Motlatso Moloi said this was the foundation’s first walk since its launch on 21 March, 2018.
She said the charity walk was intended not only to highlight stereotypes faced by children with Down syndrome but also the discrimination against them in public spaces such as public schools, recreational areas, social gatherings and within communities.
Moloi, a Halfway House resident, said the foundation will commence with a project known as ‘Project Therapy’ for children who have this disorder.
“We are running Project Therapy, where we want to facilitate that children located in underprivileged and improvised townships, informal settlements and hostels (TISH) areas, have access to therapy, quality healthcare and education. We want to ensure that the process of the above is seamless for both children and parents. We also want to support the parents whose children suffer from Down syndrome,” said Moloi.
Moloid added that historically, the majority of people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities were kept in inhumane institutions where they were deprived of education, healthcare and basic human rights.
“As the foundation we want to fight for the learning and development of children with Down syndrome because we believe they also need fair treatment from the community. People with Down syndrome have equal rights, equal freedoms and fair treatment as fully participating citizens in our communities. We desire and envision an inclusive community that embraces, supports and inspires people with Down syndrome to realise their life aspirations and reach their full potential for them to live healthy, self-determined and fulfilling lives,” she said.
She said they seek to raise funds to support families and households that take care of children with special needs.
Moloi called on patriotic citizens and business people to donate to the foundation.
Details: Motlatso Moloi 078 927 8402.
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