Help for mentally disabled adults
Although most of them are illiterate and find it difficult to learn, Ntswaki and her team work hard to teach them basic life skills like how to write their signatures so they can manage their own money.
It’s an unfortunate truth that in most cases the families of mentally disabled adults don’t know how to care for them, but a local organisation is helping them gain their independence.
Ntswaki Putu Maluleke, the founder of the Agakitso Mental Health Organisation, said that they are helping all disabled persons older than 18 years old learn life skills and become more independent.
On Friday, 31 August, the organisation held a sports event for its patients. “The patients love to go outside and do physical activities. We did some stretches and other exercises before the men played soccer and the women played a netball game. Some members from the community also joined us for the day’s event. Everybody had lots of fun,” Ntswaki said.
The Agakitso Mental Health Organisation is a Non-Profit Organisation located in Finsbury, rendering services for mentally ill patients across the West Rand. The organisation is run on a daily basis and teaches its patients some literacy skills, how to work with their hands, social skills and how to exercise.
“The objectives of running the service are to reduce relapses and hospitalisation, empower members with coping skills, motivate them to continue with treatment and create the opportunity for learning and development. Among other things, the organisation runs the following activities – physical exercises, group discussions, health talks, literacy training, arts and crafts, crocheting, needlework, beadwork, choir practice, sports, and recreation,” Ntswaki said.
They are teaching the patients the above-mentioned skills to empower them to earn a living by selling their handwork. Although most of them are illiterate and find it difficult to learn, Ntswaki and her team work hard to teach them basic life skills, like how to write their signatures so they can manage their own money.
“We try our best to make all of our patients happy. We have 12 patients at the moment, but we would love to help more disabled people from the community,” Ntswaki said.
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