IN South Africa, every child has a right to life and education. Children with disabilities struggle to utilise this right due to discrimination and exclusion and a shortage of basic resources and needs like food, transport, caregivers and even nappies. The Human Rights Watch records estimate their are 600 000 children with disabilities that are out of school. Children with disabilities thus desperately need support from businesses and individuals to promote and protect their rights and afford them opportunities on an equal basis with able-bodied children.
On Saturday, November 5, the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA) will host their annual Nappy Run to promote the cause of children with disabilities and to help with one of their most basic needs – nappies.
Incontinence, a lack of bladder and bowel control, is associated with various types of disabilities and children with disabilities have a disproportionately high need for nappies. The nappies are needed up to an advanced age, often into their teens and even adult years.
“Having to go without nappies violates a child’s dignity, it is degrading, causes discomfort and is also unhygienic,” says national director of NCPPDSA, Therina Wentzel. With this in mind, NCPPDSA founded Nappy Ru six years ago and has been running the campaign every year. Sponsored by Marsh since 2014, the event has shown significant growth with more interest and participation every year.
Last year the campaign accumulated 25 000 nappies which were distributed to families and care centres for children with disabilities throughout South Africa and this year they aim for 50 000 nappies. Physical donations of nappy packs will be welcome or alternatively donate Nappy Rands on the website www.nappyrun.org.za. All funds raised through this campaign will go towards nappies for the campaign’s beneficiaries.
“We are reaching out to all Gauteng residents to help us raise awareness and nappies by taking part in the 5km fun walk/run at the Johannesburg Zoo in Parktown. The event is part of the national Nappy Run campaign, which is aimed at raising awareness of rights of children with disabilities and the challenges they face and to collect nappies for them. Entry into the fun walk is R90 for adults and R45 for children four to 12 years old. Children younger than four years old enter free of charge and families can then enjoy the zoo after the event.
Registration starts at 7:30 until 8:30 and the run will start at 09:00.
“We are calling on everyone in Johannesburg to walk/run the 5km for the empowerment of children with disabilities,” said Wentzel. “Join in and accessorise using a cloth nappy to follow the theme”
Tickets to the event can be purchased online at www.nappyrun.org.za or during registration on the morning of the event.
About NCPPDSA
The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA) is a leading disability organisation with 75 years’ experience of enabling, supporting and enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities. The NCPPDSA strives to make South Africa a country where persons with disabilities have access to equal opportunities and rights.
Its goal is to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full rights as citizens through:
- Advocating and facilitating inclusion, access and economic empowerment
- Contributing to and influencing government policies
- Changing attitudes through sensitisation and awareness programmes
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