Beacon of hope for children
One of the highlights of the day was a collaboration with the Gogo Arts and Crafts team to create weighted blankets, vests and sensory dolls as resources for the children in the Inclusion Programme.
Thanda Community Centre in rural Mtwalume continues to be a beacon of hope for thousands of children, and in partnership with Beiersdorf, has developed an inclusion programme for children with disabilities.
In 2015, the partnership between Thanda and Beiersdorf was initiated with the design and building of six Early Childhood Development (ECD) classrooms. In 2019, the team identified a critical need in the community to reach children with disabilities.
“It was our dream to be in a position to support these children and their families and make a positive difference,” said Angela Larkan, Thanda’s founder.
The children’s disabilities include Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy and Hemiplegia.
The inclusion programme officially began with five children in 2020.
Since then, Thanda has positively impacted the lives of 41 children and 59 primary caregivers through the inclusion programme. These children are supported through home visits and therapy programmes facilitated by locally trained inclusion assistants.
Specific goals and interventions are developed for each child, which are refined during occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. The focus is on exercises that can be done at home and school, with primary caregivers playing a key role at home, utilising therapists’ expertise on an ongoing daily basis.
“Raising awareness in the community to support children with disabilities and their families was key. As a result, primary caregiver participation improved significantly after one year, and there was more awareness and understanding in the community about the children’s needs and how to support them,” added Larkan.
This month, Beiersdorf South Africa celebrated the global annual Care Beyond Skin Day with over 100 staff members volunteering and participating in a variety of activities at charity organisations – including Thanda.
One of the highlights of the day was a collaboration with the Gogo Arts and Crafts team to create weighted blankets, vests and sensory dolls as resources for the children in the inclusion programme.
A 17-year-old at Thanda, despite facing extreme mental and physical barriers due to Hemiplegia, found purpose and joy in the Gogo’s Arts and Crafts programme.
“He finds joy and purpose in the gentle art of beading, guided by the skilled hands and warm hearts of elderly artisans and sees the potential this skill has in helping him realise his dreams, making a living and being independent as he enters early adulthood,” said Larkan.
Through the partnership, Thanda was also provided with wheelchairs and hearing aids.
Godwin Harrison, Managing Director of Beiersdorf Southern Africa, said that they were thrilled that their team was able to volunteer at Thanda again, as this community is close to their hearts.
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