Foundation needs assistance to help one of their own

The Queen Butterfly Foundation, an NPO that caters for children and adults with severe mental and physical disabilities, is reaching out to the community to help them care for one of their own.

Palesa Mofokeng, the organisation’s founder, explained, “Owami Sahula (17) has been a learner at Queen Butterfly since September 2022 and has always enjoyed coming to school and spending time with her friends who attend Queen Butterfly. Until recently, Owami’s school fees were sponsored by a company, but, due to changes in the company’s social responsibility focus, the sponsorship has been terminated. This means Owami cannot attend school currently.”

Owami’s grandmother, Noma Sahule, has always tried her best to get Owami to school, no matter how many obstacles they faced. Noma explained she noticed there was something wrong when Owami was seven months old,

“She was not following objects we held in front of her and could not grab and hold onto objects we gave her. She could also not sit up straight, and only slept well on her left side. We took her to the clinic and was referred to hospital, where we learned she has cerebral palsy, as well as epilepsy.”

Noma added that she has taken Owami to several different hospitals and doctors, but was told the condition is permanent and could not be cured.

“I have been looking after her since she was born. We struggled to find a school for her that would cater for her needs and finally found the Queen Butterfly Foundation, which has been a saving grace. She is learning to count, read, walk with a stick and live with her condition. She enjoys it and is miserable when she doesn’t go. I am happy that she gets to go to school to learn important skills to do things independently. I am also getting old, and may not always be there. I need her to be able to survive in a world without me.”

Palesa explained that the foundation is both a public benefit organisation and is struggling with funds, and that is the main reason they need sponsorships.

“I knock at every door to try and get financial support for the foundation. We cannot afford to send kids away or choose what kind of help we get. One of the things we have is a sponsorship that a company or individuals can do to help sustain the foundation and help kids like Owami. We are desperate to find a solution for her again. She loves coming to school and has friends, she was used to her routine and it takes time to get to understand her world and ours.”

She added that the grant Owami receives is not enough to pay for the school fees and food, “Owami doesn’t understand her circumstances and it made me worry about her a lot. I wanted Queen Butterfly to be a solution; that our special needs children and young adults are innocent. I want to play a role in her life; no matter how small it may seem.”

Palesa concludes by saying, “Owami deserves to be able to attend Queen Butterfly, where she not only enjoys being but also feels safe. A sponsorship for her school fees would mean the world to her, her grandmother and the Queen Butterfly Foundation. Please help us help Owami.”

For more information on how to help Owami or get involved with fundraising for the foundation, contact Palesa on 060 883 7800.