Volunteers and donation of toys welcomed for Makaton programme at Skeen Primary School

Having worked at a school for special needs children in Midrand, Vusi Msomi had the privilege to learn Makaton, which he is now teaching to a group of five children at Skeen Primary School.

Makaton is a language programme using signs and symbols to help people to communicate

Msomi, the chairperson of the Foundation for Special Needs and Youth Development, has appealed to the community of Alexandra to send their mute children for sign language lessons, which he teaches for free.

Read: Hearing for those who can’t

Formed and registered in June last year, Msomi said the foundation collected and returned the children home after their lessons, all of which he and his fellow four board members, Phila Hlophe, Yvonne Moeketsi, Mpho Sekane and Mpho Moeketsi finance from their own pockets.

“As we do not have a sponsor so far, I must be honest up front that it is very taxing on us as it drains the meagre resources that we are diverting from our own families to assist these special children,” Msomi said.

The Makaton classes are held at the school every Saturday from 8am to 12pm and parents or caregivers of the children are required to provide the children with lunch boxes and if some of them are on medication, that too can be brought along.

Read: Lungile Dhlamini appointed as new managing director of Pikitup

“I am a registered nurse and the parents and caregivers have nothing to fear or worry about as I will ensure the medication is taken at the right time and in right dosages,” he said.

Msomi appealed to community members wishing to volunteer for the project or donate toys that are used in the teaching process and also contribute in whatever way they can do so.

Msomi said the broader vision of the foundation was to also establish a respite care, where parents or caregivers can drop their special needs children over the weekend with us as they go partying, just to get that much-needed respite from the taxing work of taking care of special needs children.

Details: Vusi Msomi 076 174 1167; svvmsomi@gmail.com

Do you think this is a good cause which you can volunteer your time for? Like the Alex News Facebook page to post your comments.