DURBAN NORTH school, Action in Autism (AiA) recently launched the Shahuma Centre, a skills transfer and business hub that will empower autistic adults. With 12 students already enrolled, Kirsty Miller, director of AiA said numbers are expected to rise to 16 next year.
Michelle Edmonds (20) was among the class of students learning baking skills on Tuesday, 12 November.
“It’s really exciting to meet different people and to find out what their interests are. Being here has taught me more about baking than I thought I knew. I learnt to clean up the floor while I wait for my cakes to bake, usually I would have left that to the end. With these skills I will probably start with a small business and get more efficient as I progress. My real passion is to look after toddlers from the age of 18 months to about five years old,” she said.
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Baking is one of four focus areas, including arts and crafts, Ceta accredited business and administration training and agricultural skills training, said Miller.
“We recently had a donation of a kiln and a pottery wheel. We also have beautiful grounds here, so we are looking for partnerships with people in terms of SETA accredited plant propagation and agriculture training and food production. Trees for Africa has donated an orchard of fruit trees and some tools, which we have planted,” she added.
The Shahuma Centre caters to the varied needs of the students and while skills transfer will equip some to find employment outside AiA, Miller hopes the creation of mirco enterprises, within AiA will sustain those with high support needs.
“Those who are not able to find work placements outside of the centre once the programme is complete, those with high sensory support needs will be able to stay here and make and produce their own goods and services. We plan to create a coffee shop and retail space where students can gain practical training in all aspects of business, from the creation of the brand and logo to producing and selling, the accountant side, profit and loss, surplus and deficit. They will have full ownership of the mircro enterprises we set up,” aid Miller.
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While manager for the centre, Khaya Mkhwanazi is teaching skills to students with the help of facilitators, AiA is calling on the community to offer skills training, particularly for SETA accredited courses.
“It’s day two and the students are already getting used to the routine and already coming out of their shells and becoming friends. We have so much more room to grow and expand, so it’s really exciting to be able to work here,” said Mkhwanazi.
Patron and donor for the centre, Dr Adam Mahomed named the centre after his late daughters, Shamima, Hamira and Nadia who tragically passed years ago.
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