New home for people with disabilities opens its doors
The organisation intends to address the obstacles persons with disabilities face almost every day such as a lack of access to information, education and discrimination.
An organisation aimed at assisting people with disabilities with job skills and entrepreneur programmes was officially launched on Tuesday.
Peter Baloyi, chairperson of Tlakukani Disability Empowerment Projects, said it will be a new home for people with disabilities.
The launch was also part of the celebration of International Day for Persons with Disabilities and was held at Stanza Bopape Community Hall.
Baloyi said the organisation intends to address obstacles persons with disabilities face almost every day.
He said the families of these people face a lack of accessible information, unequal access to education and training, and negative attitudes which are often linked to discrimination.
The organisation was formed in July and the launch was meant to inform the community of Mamelodi about the Tlakukani projects’ services.
“Our main objective is to systematically alleviate poverty through skills development and entrepreneurship programmes,” said Baloyi.
He said Tlakukani aims to educate people and promote disability rights to the public and people living with disabilities.
The organisation has established an information desk to help people living with disabilities and their families.
Baloyi added that they have implemented health and wellness programmes.
“We have lined up a number of projects for the year 2025, aimed at giving people with disability lifetime opportunities, skills and knowledge to create job opportunities.”
He said one of the projects lined up for next year is to introduce people with a disability to poultry farming and many more.
“Tlakukani is a home for persons with disabilities, and it operates 24 hours a day.
“We are calling all organisations dealing with disabilities to come on board to come and work with the organisation to help people with disabilities not to depend on social grant money, including [the] private sector,” Baloyi said.
“As an organisation, we don’t believe that people living with disabilities are unable to do something about their lives.
“We believe they can find jobs, participate in different sports activities as well as start their own businesses,” said Baloyi.
“Persons with disabilities have potential, and they can do anything with their lives, like any non-disabled persons,” he added.
He added that parents should not be ashamed of their children’s disabilities, the way they are or the way they were born.
The organisation wants to help people with disabilities to come out and do something about their lives, believing that there are families who still hide their disabled children from society.
“It is time they come out from hiding, and families must stop being ashamed of them,” said Baloyi.
“The organisation was formed to help people living with disabilities, especially the youth to get jobs, keep them busy and help them overcome their problems.
“We are trying to build youth with disabilities into successful business people,” he said.
The organisation is currently based at 5 Padi Street, house no 28460, Mamelodi East Ext.
Anyone who wishes to learn more about the organisation can contact Baloyi at 082 627 5152.
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