For the past 22 years, Hyde Park-based Afrika Tikkun has implemented development programmes to redress the inequities of apartheid.
Their aim is to help disadvantaged children and youth to realise their inherent potential. The Sandton Chronicle has previously reported on these initiatives such as the Cradle to the Grave programme which aims to empower children from a young age.
Within the changing South African context, Afrika Tikkun programmes have evolved, reflecting the shifting needs of young people and meeting the requirements of the National Development Plan throughout development of young people.
In early September, Afrika Tikkun was involved with a programme at Sidinga Uthando, the Orange Farm self-advocacy group for children with disabilities. The group celebrated spring and National Casual Day with children enrolled at Arekopaneng Early Learning Centre by raising awareness about different disabilities such as blindness.
The day was dedicated to teaching children about the impact of various disabilities. The children took part in unique activities that were tailored to help them understand what it would feel like to be deaf or live without a limb, for example.
To help the children better understand how a person with no hands uses a cellphone, they were asked to make a cellphone call wearing boxing gloves.
Another interesting activity, which highlighted the difficulties of living with a speech impediment involved making the children speak with a mouth full of marshmallows. The children were required to run away from a dog while using crutches to heighten awareness about physical disabilities.
“We would love to raise as much awareness as we can about disabilities, especially to young ones so that they grow up knowing that people with disabilities are also human and not half the person they are,” said Mpotse Mofokeng, an Afrika Tikkun Empowerment Programme case administrator,
Similar disability awareness events were held at three other Afrika Tikkun centres in Gauteng in September.
