Disabled centre calls upon community to volunteer
The centre was established as a way of uniting children living with disability and protecting them from anusive environments.
MALEKUTU – The Zamokuhle disabled centre calls upon all good Samaritans in the community to volunteer in assisting them with teaching children skills that will them to help realise their potential.
The centre, established in 1995 as a way of uniting children with disability and protecting them from an abusive environment and giving them the opportunity to share ideas on handling challenges they are faced with everyday.
Mandla Mgwenya, chairperson of the centre, said since many of these children were mentally challenged they could not attend regular schools as they were not able to concentrate for long periods of time. “If we can get people who can assist us in helping them with skills, such as carpentry, plumbing, and sewing, we know that one day they will be able to make a living out these skills,” he said.
Most of the children survived on their disability grant which did not provide for all their needs. “I want them to have a backup plan even if times get tough, even if the people who take care of them leave this world, at least they will know that they are able to generate income from the skills they will be learning”.
He also added it was important for them to acquire these skills as apart from earning an income it would keep them busy with different activities, “We want them to be financially independent so that one day they will be proud of their income.” The children use to spend half of the day doing nothing, but they now had a garden to take care of.
Social development has assisted them with funds, but they appealed to the community to assist them in teaching skills to the children. Thuli Mlotshwa (16) said she would be very happy to learn computer skills and sewing because she would like to do office work one day as she was tired of doing the same thing every day.
Crime and proper space for the children are some of the issues faced by the centre. The centre management want to appeal to the community to support them and not steal from them as it is the only safe haven for these children in the area.
