On the 30th of July 2014 I met Mrs Thoko, a Social Worker at Othandweni Children’s Home. Othandweni means “Place of Love” in Zulu and Xhosa, and this is what they strive toward it being.
The home is situated in Mofolo South, Soweto. The centre was established in 1984 as a project of child welfare and it offers residential care for up to 90 children of all ages who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. The Centre also has limited places available for destitute mothers or pregnant women who are contemplating the future of their unborn children.
I Can! was able to conduct Tram assessments on some of the Othandweni (intellectually disabled) residents. They were so overwhelmed to be part of this exciting program. I Can! believes in the value of putting ability before disability. We see how many challenges people with disabilities face on a daily basis and therefore it is important to us to also make a difference in our communities; to lead by example.
I will never forget the day I met with the Othandweni family and to have given hope to differently abled individuals. I wish them all the best.
Thapelo Monyeke
Recruitment Officer – Gauteng