Support Hands of Hope
October 30 is Hands of Hope Day and the project is set to change special needs education in South Africa.
The aim is to divide Gauteng into different areas and to have at least one special needs school listed as a beneficiary in each area.
According to Jacques Rossouw, New Hope Trust chairman, who is taking this message to the communities, their participation and support can greatly assist in reaching the goals.
Like all other learners, children with disabilities have a right to quality basic education.
It is, therefore, disheartening that close to 500 000 children with disabilities are not attending school in South Africa.
According to Statistics South Africa’s 2013 general household survey, 67 per cent of these children report severe disabilities and require placement in special schools.
“Learners who are unable to use some of their body parts find this impacts on their ability to receive normal education,” says Rossouw in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“Special facilities are required to ensure these learners receive the education they deserve, to ensure they can fulfil their place in society.
”Our Hands of Hope Day aims to address these issues.”
Hands of Hope Day calls on young and old to participate in a campaign aimed at raising funds for the New Hope Trust, a non-profit organisation that supports education centres that focus on special needs education in South Africa.
Rossouw says the trust addresses the toughest issues facing the schools, including education and training of learners with cerebral palsy, permanent physical disabilities, metabolic disorders or syndromes and traumatic brain injuries, as well as specific learning disabilities.
“We objectively weigh those educational strategies that foster innovation, promote excellence and produce results,” he says.
Participate in the day by simply painting one hand green and the other blue, and pressing both hands onto a piece of paper and adding #HandsOfHopeSA.
Pledge R10 and share the artwork online.
“Support of our campaign is essential so that we can continue to ensure that new and promising initiatives find a place in our classrooms and make a lasting difference to our children and their future,” says Rossouw.
Participants can make donations by visiting the New Hope Trust website at www.newhopetrust.co.za.
Connect with us:
Have a story? Send Anna Robertson an email on annar@caxton.co.za or contact her on 011 812 4820.
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter as well as our journalists @SpringsJournOne and @SpringsJournTwo.
For news straight to your phone, invite us on BBM – 7EFABEF1 or join us on WhatsApp on 079 408 9334.
