Para’demics Edu Centre will be hosting its fourth annual walkathon event on June 14 at Devland Ex 27 Freedom Park.
The event will include walking, playing, and learning sessions between the residents and registered kids at the centre.
Para’demics Edu Centre is a non-profit organisation and an early learning institution that caters for children living with disabilities.
It provides training and therapeutic assistance for children living with physical, mental, intellectual and neurological disabilities.
ALSO READ: Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness opens Xray centre in Soweto
Thandekile Khumalo from Freedom Park is the founder and the principal of Para’demics Edu Centre. She works alongside two other partners and through their campaigns and walkathons they help children living with disabilities.
“We specifically register only children that are medically diagnosed that they have certain disabilities, those that regularly go to the clinic for check-ups and are within a specific age group, “Khumalo explained.
She further stated that the centre so far has registered 15 children with the youngest being three years old with hydrocephalus and the oldest soon to turn 10 years old and living with a neurological disability.
The centre offers outdoor playtime that stimulates every child’s abilities, yoga that helps them know how to balance the mind and the body, music and circle time which is an important activity that helps the children to bond with each other.
ALSO READ: Bara Hospital launches research centre for children fighting cancer
They also have sensory tables for children with visual impairment disabilities.
The NPO has been self-funded ever since it was established in 2021 and has been relying on its fundraising initiatives to generate money for its projects.
“Every year we do walkathons that help us raise funds to fulfil our theme for that specific year.
“This year we will be walking towards getting a specific wheelchair for one of our children living with special needs,” Said Khumalo.
The centre is reaching out to everyone to help them help the child get the wheelchair. This can be done through donations of toys, canned food, blankets, and books.
“We are not asking for any money, people can purchase our R50 tickets and join us on our 2024 walkathon event and show support which will go a long way as a helping hand,” Khumalo said in pleading for assistance.
The purpose of the walkathon is to create awareness about children living with disabilities to help them enter a reputable education system with no limits.
