10 disabled students are inducted at The Living Link after generous donation
JOBURG – Engen looks to assist the disabled at The Living Link with hundreds of thousands of rand in donations.
Ten intellectually disabled students have received the chance to transform their lives and build a better future.
For one year, 10 disabled students from the NPO based in Parkhurst, The Living Link, have been given the opportunity to integrate themselves into society through the Adult Integration Programme – an opportunity afforded to them through generous donations by Engen.
Engen donated R564 000 towards the programme.
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The Living Link managing director, Stanley Bawden explained that this donation has allowed these 10 students to bridge a vital gap between their school and professional lives.
“We take in young adults who have finished their special needs schooling and are looking to receive training for jobs. Many parents get their intellectually disabled children to complete a school programme and thereafter they’re stuck with the question ‘now what?’ We’re the gap between school and work.”
He explained that many of the students, who are predominantly intellectually challenged, with only a few having physical disabilities, who go to The Living Link are illiterate and unable to integrate smoothly into a world of professional work and teamwork.
Engen corporate social investment manager, Mntu Nduvane said that due to the fact that disability affects a comparatively small percentage of the population, it remains traditionally underfunded. “As we enter youth month, Engen is mindful that this is a key area of need which is why we have moved to assist young adults living with disabilities and their families.”
The Adult Integration Programme, into which the 10 students were inducted, focuses on employment orientation, personal empowerment, lifestyle management and community survival. It also includes students doing job sampling. The Living Link also provides ongoing job coaching and training to both employer and employee.
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Bawden explained, “The programme is a life skills and work readiness programme. Through the programme and job sampling we hope that they will attain generic skills that will allow them to be placed in any entry level job.”
The Living Link works with EY (Ernst and Young), Dischem, Hollard, McDonald’s, Joburg City Parks and Netcare, among other companies, to introduce their students to real life working experience. They, however, are in need of more support from companies.
Bawden concluded, “We are constantly looking for sponsorship for students and for any company giving disabled people opportunities to gain work experience.”
Details: thelivinglink.co.za
