HOPE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Our philosophy of partnership with parents is strengthened through training on issues that equips parents with skills, understanding, knowledge and confidence in support of the development of their children with disabilities.

Training needs are identified through annual needs assessments and regular communication with parents. Topics covered during regular training include: Positioning; Feeding; Parenting Skills; Importance of Play; Making of Toys from Waste; Medication, amongst others. The hands- on practical training /workshops are conducted by our dynamic team of Therapists and Social Workers.

A Homebased Family Support programme is offered to families whose children are too young to be accommodated in the day care programme to ensure stimulation is introduced at an early age.

Therapeutic counselling and referrals of families to appropriate resources if required is managed by our Social Work division. Child Protection and Family preservation as prescribed by the progressive children's Act 38 of 2005 as amended forms the basis of Social Work Intervention for families in both the Early Intervention Day Care programme and Homebased programmes.

A support programme for siblings of children attached to the existing Early Intervention day-care programme and siblings of children with disabilities from the adjacent communities is offered.

This is done through support, life skills development, and education on Child Protection, academic motivation, Youth Leadership Development and Holiday/Leisure time activities.

Individuals with compassion and a sincere sense of Ubuntu give of their time, expertise and experience to assist and support us in service delivery. Recruitment is mainly done through awareness talks and is followed by a structured screening process.

Volunteers are a very special group of committed community members and augment the service of practitioners in the classroom. Their specific involvement includes assistance with classroom activities, feeding, toilet routine, transporting children on excursions. Volunteers are especially trained in the Sunshine Model and the START (Strive Towards Achieving Results Together) Programme to ensure they acquire appropriate skills and abilities to be maximally involved in activities. Long Service Awards are issued every second year of service.

We remain eternally grateful for the commitment and generosity of our volunteers we sincerely appreciate your assistance, thank you.